27 JUNE 2013

HANDSOME HURC

OUCH MY EARS HURT!  .......

SOMEONE HAS BEEN POKING AROUND IN MY HORN..........

I THINK I HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED BY ALIENS........................

June 2   We visited Kwa Guqa Ward.   Bishop Jeremy Rakotomamanjy is always so welcoming.  He is a 28 year old Bishop in the Pretoria Stake.  He grew up in France and served his mission in the Johannesburg Mission.  He came back here and married his wife and was called to be a Branch President and subsequently they made the branch a ward.  

Stephen with his two sons

We enjoyed seeing Stephen again who attended our workshop in Kwa Guqa last November and shortly thereafter joined the church.  He was ordained an Elder two weeks ago.  We met him last "fall."  He was discussing the gospel at the gate way into the church, and he hadn't even been baptized yet.  He then walked around the church grounds picking up trash that had blown in.

We also saw Moses again and many other good friends.  

The ward was still buzzing about Elder Cook’s visit last week.  22 people bore sweet fervent simple testimonies in Sacrament Meeting. 

We were able to teach 50 youth / YSA about making critical choices.  They seemed to receive the important message with enthusiasm.  Testimony, serving missions, marrying in the temple and career choice and preparation are definitely CRITICAL CHOICES!

June 5-7   We taught Career Workshop in the ERC. We only had two participants, but we were able to concentrate on their individual needs. 

June 8  Sister DaBell and I and Elder Basso traveled to Sebokeng Branch where we taught 41 people Career Workshop and Self Employment Workshop.  

We had 24 participate in Self Employment Workshop and 17 in Career workshop.  This was a great group with a great deal of enthusiasm.  We were joined by people from Sebokeng, Sharpville, Orange Farm and Vereeniging.   We appreciated the Sebokeng Branch President Khumalo and President Matsoso of the Stake Presidency being in attendance.  We are always inspired by President Matsoso and his personal “Career” story.  We hope to have many of the participants send us business plans to review.

June 9  We visited Alberton Branch where we trained in Ward Council and spoke in Sacrament Meeting.  We were warmly welcomed and fellowshipped.

Alberton Branch

June 10 -13   We had Zach and Vusi in Self Employment Workshop.  Zach has started a commercial art business and Vusi is selling perfume.  We hoped for greater numbers, but this allowed us to use their businesses when teaching rather than generic examples.  We received a draft business plan from Zach.

June 13-16   We traveled to a site close to Hoedspruit and Kruger Park to participate in a Rhino Capture Project with Sean and Diane Donnelly and 17 others including Elder and Sister Renlund.  

Sister Donnelly and Elder Renlund

We enjoyed the expert catering job of the Donnellys as we sat around the fire and ate delicious meals Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. 

We stayed at Ndabushi, self catering bush camp. We especially enjoyed hearing inspirational stories from the Renlunds regarding their service the last four years in the Area Presidency and the Donnellys service in Madagascar as Mission President. 

Friday we went on a self drive game drive in Kruger Park where we saw Elephants, Giraffe, Kudu, Zebra, Hippos, Baboons, Crocodile, Water Buffalo, and many birds.  

Guinea Fowl

This crocodile was not very hungry.  The bird strutted back and forth past its mouth!  Silly bird!

On Saturday we left very early and joined the warden and veterinary and were briefed on the Rhino Capture.  

The helicopter tracked  a Rhino and the Vet shot the Rhino with a dart that sedated him. 

We helped the vet and warden and notch the ears, draw a DNA sample and place a chip in the ears and horn of the Rhino.  After about an hour, the vet administered an anti dote and we watched the Rhino awake and walk away.  What a fascinating experience.  The Rhinos have been subjected to poaching and this activity is an attempt to track the Rhinos , who have become endangered, and catch the Poachers.  

Saturday afternoon we visited an animal refuge where they care for animals and reintroduce them into the wild.  We saw many Cheetahs, some lion, monkeys, vultures, sable antelope,  and other birds.   

Sunday morning we had Sacrament Meeting under the trees.  Margaret and Elder Hoffman, Area Medical Advisor, were the speakers.  It was inspirational and we then had a brunch and returned to Joburg about 5 hours away.

June 19-21   We taught 9 people in Career Workshop.  (8 non members)  The class was eager and quick to learn.  At the end we gave away 8 books of Mormon.

June 21   We served in the Temple from 2 to 7. We had the opportunity to officiate the 3 pm session.  We also participated in sealings.  Every time we serve in the temple, we learn and feel new things.

Brother and Sister Jena  The baby sat on my lap.  It was heavenly!

June 22   We spoke at a Self Reliant Fireside at Pretoria First Ward along with Sivu and Sister Jena.  We are having more and more opportunities where Priesthood Leaders call us back to emphasize the principles of Self Reliance.  20 attended.

Following the fireside we took Sivu and Pheladi  (newlyweds) to dinner at Lotus Thai restaurant in Pretoria.  We enjoyed the food and their company.  They are a great example:  both are in their final year of a Chemical Engineering degree.  After Sivu worked as an intern in Employment Resource Services, he got a great job at a water company in his related field.  He has now been called as the Stake Executive Secretary of the Pretoria Stake. 

We will hear much more of this fine couple!

June 23   We attended Tembisa Ward.  Sister DaBell played the music in Sacrament Meeting and we conducted a Ward Council training after the block.  We had 17 people and we were given an hour.  Much was discussed on using the Council to solve Welfare problems and organize missionary work.

Before we returned home we visited the Orphanage and visited with Mama.     The Orphanage has many improvements:  ceilings in the rooms, a completed library and a well cared for garden.   

We have seen much improvement of the physical facility in the 11 months we have been here.  They have benefited from many, but the recent improvements are largely from Tembisa Cash Build, a building materials company.  The foundation started by the Savages continues to strengthen.

This is Natasha, also known as DooDoo.  She is 4 months old, and has been at the orphanage since she was two months old.  Her mother is in prison.  She has a very cute smile.

Mama and Clive’s wife took us to view the Grave Memorial (shrine) at Mama’s son Phillip’s grave.

Mama expresses her gratitude to all who have helped her in her quest to provide safe loving care to children.  She especially wanted me to tell Syndee Savage how much she misses her.

June 24   We attended Devotional where Margaret played the piano.  We had a team meeting and worked on planning workshops and future events.  For FHE we watched a video clip of a seminar taught by Elder Lynn Robbins regarding Agency and the Responsibility that comes with Agency.  We learned we are 100 per cent responsible for our mission and for our lives.  In Marriage, both the Husband and the Wife are 100 per cent responsible for the marriage’s success.

Sister Beauty is on the left in the red sweater.

June 25-26  We taught Career Workshop in Tembisa to 30 participants from Tembisa ward, Hospitalview Ward and Birch Acres Branch from the Centurion Stake.  We had 7 non members in attendance and we gave away 5 Books of Mormon.   This workshop gives us a good opportunity to teach Self Reliance Principles and to bear testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, a great missionary tool!    Sister Beauty, Tembisa Ward Employment Specialist, organized the workshop and provided lunch both days.  Sister Nkambule, the Bishop’s wife, also was very helpful.

Proud Papa

Proud BaBa

June 26   Margaret taught the Tshabalala children piano and Moipone came home from the Hospital with Amahle their new little boy.  We provided dinner and ate with the family along with a little baseball during the piano lessons.

Proud Family

Until next time....Elder and Sister DaBell