...And I have miles to go before I sleep......

Elder and Sister DaBell April Visits

April 1-5   We had the opportunity to visit Victoria Falls in Zambia

April 6   We trained the Benoni Stake Employment Specialists.  We had representation from 6 units, the High Councilor in charge of Welfare, Tembinkosi Mkhize, who happens to be the PEF supervisor here at the area offices and Present Mahlaba, the Stake Welfare Specialist.  Wonderful opportunity!!!

April 6-7  We were inspired in listening to General Conference where we were taught by Prophets and Apostles and other leaders to be obedient, be missionaries, focus on family and particularly marriage and withstand the world as people around us stray farther and farther  from God’s teachings.  We are fortunate to have BYUtv.  It allows us to watch conference live from Salt Lake City.

April 8  In Devotional  this morning George Bonnet, DTA, expressed his testimony and shared some of his observations of General Conference.  He encourages all the employees and Senior Missionaries at the Area Office to have scriptures and a copy of the most recent General Conference talks on their desks and available to help them achieve the work of the Lord.  Brother Bonnet reminded us of the 4th verse of the Hymn "Testimony". #137

As testimony fills my heart,

It dulls the pain of days.

For one brief moment, heaven's view

Appears before my gaze.

April 10-12   We taught 11 people the Career Workshop.  We were really impressed with this group.  One young lady, Zandile, had an interview to be a “News Reporter” with  South African Broadcasting Company, SABC, a great opportunity for a bright young lady.

As we teach the class we encourage our students to create a plan to achieve their Educational/Employment Goals.  Zandile had prepared  from high school for a career in television broadcasting.  She attended basic courses, had a learnership, and then a broadcasting job on the radio. She overcame an interesting obstacle to get an interview with SABC. She was the perfect example of having a good plan and working the plan for success.  She had the interview during our class to be an news anchor with SABC tv, her dream career.  

Zandile knew the job was open and went into the SABC office to ask for an interview time.  She was told she would not be able to get an interview.  She asked for the extension number of the person interviewing and called him.  She told him she had a delivery for him that needed a signature, and asked him to please come out into the outer office.  When he came out, she told him that she was the delivery and that she wanted an interview.  She was given a time.

 Another young lady, Agnes, talked to Sister DaBell about her resume.  She had been a stay at home mom, but was needing to work.  She had computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite.  Sister DaBell encouraged her to  improve her background by volunteering  and advised her to confer with Nombuso.  By the end of the day she had interviewed with Tirhani in PEF and started on 8 April 2013 as a volunteer in PEF in the Area Office.  This is a position that will give her great experience and likely lead to future employment.  Networking is the key to being employed.

Nkombwe is a political refugee from Uganda.  He wanted a picture of him with us to sent back to his mother.  Families here face very difficult challenges!

April 12   In the afternoon we had the opportunity and blessing of serving in the temple.  Each time we do this ii is humbling and a learning experience.  Margaret and I officiated in the 5 pm session where Brother Maduna from Etwatwa Branch received his Endowment.  He was escorted by President Maebela, his Branch President, and Stake President Holmes was also part of this session.  Brother Maduna will leave soon to serve a mission in Kenya.

April 13   We went with Elder and Sister Curtis and enjoyed a Soweto tour. (Please see previous post!)  led by Thoba Karl-Halla who works in Public Affairs in the Area Office.  Sister DaBell teaches Thoba’s granddaughter Mazi piano lessons.  Thoba was born and raised in Soweto and is very familiar with the transition that occurred from the time of Apartheid and the strife that took place ultimately leading to the election of Nelson Mandela as the first Black President of South Africa.  Mandela lived in Soweto with his wife, Winnie Mandela, for a short time before he was incarcerated for 27 years.  We toured the home they lived in.  Thoba grew up with some of the Mandela daughters.  Hearing personal experiences she had in her youth was inspiring and interesting.  We are amazed at the ability Thoba and most native “black” South Africans have to forgive and move on to a better future life.  During Apartheid, many of the white South Africans taught that the “blacks” were basically subhuman and did not have the ability to learn and perform like a “white” person.  We can testify as we get to know many wonderful “black saints” and others that this is false doctrine.  All God’s children, black and white, given the opportunity can flourish and grow as they learn and practice agency.  This is a “pioneer experience” here in Africa.

April 14  We attended Rynfield Ward, Benoni Stake.  We visited with Bishop Peter Vosloo and offered our services in Welfare and Employment.  We were able to view once again the final session of General Conference after partaking of  the Sacrament.

April 15-19   We taught a Self Employment Workshop with Elder Basso.  There were 5 participants. 

April 19   We served in Temple from 2 to 8 pm  Many patrons attended and we had many opportunities to serve and learn.

April 20 We took a field trip to Bryanston Organic Market.  This lady was selling brooms.  We are now the proud owners of a totally handmade broom and a lovely picture.  A very rainy cool day where the power was out for about 5 hours.  How can it be cool?  Well, with cement buildings loose fitting windows and doors, and no central heat, it is cold.  I remember some of the homes we lived in growing up BRRRRR.

April 21  Tsakane Branch

We spoke in Sacrament Meeting in Tsakane Branch, Benoni Stake, on Self Reliance.  We also had the opportunity to teach the youth / YSA on Critical Choices they need to make regarding their testimony, serving missions, getting married in the temple and preparing for a career. 

Branch President Maloka appreciated our help and invited us back to teach on the fifth Sunday in June to the combined Relief Society / Priesthood meeting.  President  Maloka and family live in Benoni Ward area, but serve in Tsakane Branch.  We rode to church with Sister Naylor and Taylor who are assigned to Tsakane and serve in Family History.

Brother Thomas Mokgapi is a sealer in the Johannesburg temple.  The first one of native African descent.

The piano is now in our flat.  This instrument was purchased by a missionary couple here, who were then transferred to Cape Town.  They had the piano shipped there.  They left for the United States the first of April.  I visited with them and we decided that the piano should go to the Tshabalala family.  Elder DaBell and I had it shipped from Cape Town back to Johannesburg.  It was very much the worse for the wear.  The pedal did not work, several keys did not work, it sounded awful!!!  I did not see how it would be usable in any way.  

We contacted the Facilities Management to see who is the technician for the church pianos.  He was not available and said he did not know anyone who he could really recommend.  Then he said "Oh yes, I know someone...it is "

We called him and he said, " I just happen to be in the area.  What about meeting you at 12:00?"  We did.  His first words were, "You should have left it in Cape Town......"  My heart sank.  He then took off the front moved a few things around, got out a screw driver, poked at a few other things and MIRACLE OF MIRACLES it worked.  He said, "should I tune it?"  I said it still has to be moved.  He said "it will hold."  He tuned it.  It is one hundred years old and a nice instrument.

April 22-26  We taught Career Workshop with 8 participants.  As usual, several of the participants were non members and we had opportunity to bear testimony as we taught self reliance principles that are part of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are so impressed with the fact that so many of the young people in South Africa have not had parents who had any expectation that they could grow up and gain an education and training that would lead to a career that could lead to economic self reliance.  We are really working with “pioneers” who are awakening to a world of opportunity. We continually emphasize the need to get good grades and study math and science and prepare at a younger age to be ready for the opportunities ahead.  Way too many of these youth are in their mid-twenties with NO job experience and still wondering where they are going  and what possibilities are before them.  There is not a lack of intelligence or desire, but there is definitely a lack of vision on the part of the youth and a lack of expectation on the part of parents who grew up with very little agency.

April 26 We went to dinner with Hoffmans to celebrate Margaret’s “29^th” birthday.  They are the Area Medical Advisors (we hosted them when they arrived).  We went to Sophia’s Bistro and had a delicious pork dinner.  When we returned to Dukes Court, Becky Hoffman served a delicious chocolate birthday cake!

April 27   We had  the opportunity to present a  Self Reliance / Business Presentation to the Regional Single Adults.  

So many are unemployed  or underemployed and need encouragement and training to help them have the confidence to find better employment or start a small business.  After our 1.5 hour presentation,  we had 3 testimonials from individuals including Bedfordview Stake President O’Friel, regarding successful business ventures and the principles needed to succeed. 





After a light lunch, we helped with some networking and left materials for future workshops and encouraged registration on LDSJobs  (the Church’s powerful resource).

April 28   We visited Secunda Branch, about two hours from Joburg, where we spoke in Sacrament Meeting,  taught the youth and YSA on  critical choices and trained the Branch Council regarding Councils in general and Welfare / Employment specifically. 

The Branch President, Soko, is an enthusiastic young man who works a Sasol, an oil refining plant in Secunda.  He and his wife have two children.  She serves as the Primary President.  There were about 40 in attendance, but  10 of that number were us and Tshabalala Family who joined us since this branch is close to Leslie, the township Dominic grew up in as a child.  

After our training,   Dominic and his family gave us a tour of Leslie including the house he lived in as a  child when  his mother worked in Joburg as a domestic  worker and he lived with grandparents and aunts and cousins.  

Dominic's grandfather was an organizer and a builder.  He helped organize the community into streets and helped to build more solid structures of metal and wood.  He built the home in the middle.

l to r Mable Dominic's mother, her sister,  Dominic and Khumo

The family then moved to this home.

We met Dominic's aunt, who is his mother’s older sister.   She was so kind and gracious.   Life in the township is difficult and so often, the men either leave or die young.

We have great respect for Dominic’s mom, she joined the Church and got Dominic better education out of the township  and he is now one of the African Pioneers with greater expectations and along with Moipone (they are both returned missionaries) they have higher expectations for their children and they are offering them greater opportunities and expecting better performance.  (3 of the children take piano lessons from Margaret)

With Khumo and Meninhle

When we returned to Dukes Court on Sunday evening, we had a potato bar  with the other Senior  Missionaries and shared thoughts on General Conference.  What an inspiring conference:  much to be said about obedience and living a Christ-like life!

April  30   We had dinner at the Curtis’ flat with the MTC President Reber and his wonderful companion and the Curtis’ and Larsens.   We shared stories of our missions, much focus was on the young African missionaries who come to the MTC with little material clothing or supplies and in many cases not even knowing their parents and being loved by the Rebers in a way they have never known in their lives.  The Rebers who have served 2 prior missions including Mission President in Austria, are down to earth and really know how to connect with the young Elders and Sisters.  They are doing a   great work.  They  will return to their 8 children and grandchildren in  January 2014.  They will be missed, but the Lord will call another couple to continue this ministry.

May 1   This is a Public Holiday and we spent part of the day at the Crocodile and Reptile Farm with 4 other couples learning about venomous and non venomous snakes and viewing  many crocodiles.   We enjoyed the good company , the wildlife and the pizza.  And we watched out very carefully!

Until next blog,  Elder and Sister DaBell