17 February 2013  

And Also for My Children in University....................

We had a Valentine's surprise.  Thank you Alex and Lisa.  We were at the petrol station.  You are not allowed to fill your own car.  The attendant was there as we were opening the surprise.  I offered him one.  He came back in a minute and said, could I get another one...and one for my wife, too... and some for my children, ....and also for my children who are in University?

Fun experience with a sweet treat from the USA. Thanks

11-12 February   

We taught Career Workshop in the Employment Resource Center to 9 individuals.  3 were members of the Church and the other 6 were non-members, but very respectful and hoping to learn skills that will help them become employed.  We were so impressed with the endurance of several of these individuals.  

Steven spoke of overcoming tobacco and alcohol and how he attends AA and works with others to overcome addictions.  He especially loves working with youth and would like to become an actor.  We talked of him being a counselor or teacher.  Patience is a young lady who has never had a job and her interview in the workshop was her “first ever” interview.  As she builds confidence, she is actually bright and very engaging.  Joyce is a single mother from Ficksburg by Lesotho, who left an abusive marriage.  She speaks little English, but is determined to find employment to care for her family.

February 13-15   

We visited Swaziland with Andersons and Nielsens.  It is very green and has a large timber industry.

We visited a glass factory.  They use recycled glass.  It was fun to watch the workers create.

We were able to give out many pass along cards and two Books of Mormon.  This young lady, (right) is saving money for education.

Our name tags bring attention and afford us many opportunities to share the Gospel.  This lady noticed our name tags and came over to ask us about our service.  She is the pastor of a church herself.  She was very interested in the Book of Mormon.

Swaziland is very green and beautiful and we enjoyed the accommodations and fellowship of the other couples.  We went to a cultural village.  There were huts, dances, dress, history lessons.  The rock in this picture is known as suicide rock.  If you have done something seriously wrong you were escorted to the top by warriors with spears who then encouraged you to jump off the back side.

The Andersons are part of the legal department

and the Nielsens will be great assets to the new Self Reliance Department.

We did not see DLA's or elephants, or giraffes, but we did see monkeys.

We stayed at Summerfield Botanical Gardens.  Very beautiful, clean and QUIET.

Sweet huh!!!

The food was fantastic.

We visited the Manzini Market.  Lots of fabric, seamstresses, carvings, baskets, food, on and on...

This guy actually had a Book of Mormon from a previous customer.

We saw the local pharmacy

And Chickens on the hoof


We also went to a Candle shop and House of Fire, a market for home crafts.

This lady is weaving a basket.  She works with her feet holding the project.  She is 50 years old!!!

Her friends enjoyed telling us about her.













We did find one of the local branch buildings.

On our way home, we went to Pigg's Peak.  Mr. Pigg found gold in the area.  We stopped on a bridge and saw goats at the top of a waterfall in the middle of a river.

On our way back down from the peak, we stopped where two young boys, decked out in leaves, were dancing to encourage people to stop and buy handicrafts.  It was soooo hot.  We stopped gave them some apples, water and a few rand, and bought some stone pieces from the dad of one of them.


February 16^th    We attended Mama’s son’s funeral at the Multipurpose Building in Tembisa.  
Lots of singing, amens and clapping.  It was beautiful.

There were between 400 to 500 in attendance. We were quite noticeable. 

Mama asked Elder DaBell to represent the Senior Missionaries who had helped at the orphanage and give a few remarks.   He testified of God’s love and the literal resurrection of Jesus Christ and testified her son Phillip will be resurrected.  Families can truly be together forever.  







We were treated with great respect, we were invited to sit with the clergy in the front.  The service lasted almost 2.5 hours:  great singing, teaching in Zulu and English and praise and honor to Phillip and family.   





This gentleman took care of us.  He made sure we did not get lost.  He even escorted us to and from our car, stating that he wanted to be sure that we were safe.

We went to the Tembisa cemetery and observed the burial.  There were 4 burials going on simultaneously.  (probably 1,000 plus people at the cemetery)  A great and humbling experience.   Mortality is fragile and we are so blessed to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are also blessed to work among such a loving and humble people here in Africa.

February 17^th  We attended Centurion 2^nd Ward and spoke briefly with Bishop Dwomoh regarding Welfare and Employment.  The Ward Employment specialist was out of town.  The Nielsens went with us.  (they are PEF missionaries. Perpetual Education Fund offers low interest loans for students, monies paid back are then loaned to another...perpetual)  Stay tuned in the future for an amazing coincidence regarding Bishop Dwomoh....

These are the cars for two wards.  This is actually a more affluent area. and the parking for a stake center.

Nombuso Sibanyoni

Nombuso is the intern in our ERC Office.  She was the devotional speaker today, 17 Feb 2013.  She shared her lessons learned first hand from her father.  People have said to Nombuso, “No wonder you turned out like this, you have a wonderful father.”

Mr. Sibanyoni was born in 1952 in Soweto, the largest township in the Johannesburg area.  His father was a railroad worker and his mother was a domestic worker.  They did not earn much.  He grew up in a shack.  The family had meat two times a year, Christmas and New Years.  Mr. Sibanyoni wanted his children to have meat Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  He had one pair of shoes at a time until he was in his 20’s.  Like most of the boys his age, he went bare foot.

In School he fell in love with books. 

As Nombuso was growing up, for punishment, her father bought a newspaper, and she had to sit and read it, and then report to her father what she had learned.  If she failed, she got a hiding.  Nombuso and her sister started asking neighbors what such and such in the newspaper meant.  Her father found out and started giving them Shakespeare to read as punishment, instead.  It sparked a desire to read.  She read.  When the children earned good marks, they received books.  When they were naughty they received books.  For presents they received books.

When Mr. Sibanyoni was in Grade 7 his father was injured and lost his job as a railroad worker.  The mother did not earn enough money for school.  Mr. Sibanyoni took a job for seven years as a cleaner in a butchery.  He went to school at nights.  He passed his matric in 12 subjects.  (Matric would sort of be similar to college prep classes)

He wanted to study to be a doctor, but black people were not allowed in universities at that time.  He became a gardener.  He worked for Mr. Smith.  Mr. Smith spoke Afrikaans, no English.  Nombuso’s father taught Mr. Smith to read and write English.  Mr. Smith was impressed with this gardener who was so learned.  He helped him get a job in HR in the company he worked for.  Mr. Sibanyoni studied HR.  Nombuso’s sister has memories of him studying.

Mr. Sibanyoni was able to buy a car.  Nombuso remembers the car.  It was yellow and had furry seats.  She used to pluck the fur.  She was punished with a book.  The Sibanyoni family had been living in a 4 room house.  They moved to a bigger home.  Nombuso remembers that the children were allowed 1 hour a week for play.  Her father checked the homework.  If they did well, they received a book.

In High School, Nombuso was studying Shakespeare in English class.  The teacher would take her questions to Nombuso.  She received an A+ in her Shakespeare class.  She told the instructor that reading the Book of Mormon would help her understand the thee’s, thine’s and thou’s.  In fact, she recommended reading the book of Mormon to many of her friends for that same “reason.”

Nombuso completed her matric with 5 distinctions.  She is fluent in 7 languages.

Her father was promoted to the position of divisional HR.  One day later, he had a stroke.  He had been right handed.  The paralysis was on the right side. The Sister, brother and Nombuso all took leave from their studies to help him.  They went to therapy with him.  Mr Sibanyoni pushed very hard.  There were dark days.  Nombuso and her sister were members of the church.  The Elders came and gave their dad priesthood blessings.  For 7 years the Elders had been teaching Mr Sibanyoni.  He did not believe in Joseph Smith.  The service from the Elders softened his heart.  He determined he would actually pray to find out for himself if Joseph Smith was who he said he was.  His answer was yes. He read the Book of Mormon in 4 weeks and was baptized.  

He grew in the gospel by leaps and bounds.  He pushed himself and his children in gospel scholarship.  He is active in the High Priests Group.  He has learned to be very proficient with his left hand.  He cleans the chapel when the assignment comes around.  He is the first one there and the last to go home.  He cares for himself, and cooks.  There is not anything he does not do.  He says, “Look at my history.  I never had much.  In every situation you give your all.”  Each day when Nombuso gets home he asks,  ”How was your day?  Did you give it your all?”  Nombuso has served a mission.  She would like a career as a diplomat.  She gives each day her ALL.

Until next week, Elder and Sister DaBell

11 February, 2013

2 February 2013 

Did Phil see his shadow?  Will we have another six weeks of our current weather? Stay tuned to find out.

January 30 – February 1   We had the opportunity to teach 13 individuals in Career Workshop.   The group was diverse, but overall very bright and focused on improving presentation and networking skills.   Friday afternoon we were privileged to serve in the temple.  Each time we serve, we learn a little more.   Temple Worship is (and should be) a highlight of our Church Service.

January 31 a group of sister missionaries got together to make baby blankets for aids infected babies in a downtown hospital.  Many of the babies go home wrapped in newspaper or plastic shopping bags.  Our goal is 1000 blankets.   We used fleece and did a fringed edging.

February 3    We attended Etwatwa   Branch, Benoni Stake, with the Andersons and Knudsens.  After the Block, we taught a Self Reliance / Business Fireside to approximately 60 members of the Branch. The Andersons took goodies to share for lunch.  For many, it was the meal of the day.

ETWATWA BRANCH /SELF RELIANCE BUSINESS FIRESIDE

i.                     Doctrinal Foundation

A.      Genesis 3:19   Commandment to Work

B.      Doctrine &Covenants 83:2-5  Responsibility to care for family

C.       2 Nephi 2:27,  Use of agency

D.       Doctrine & Covenants 88  Learning Spiritual and Temporal

E.       Matthew 25: 15-30  Parable of the Talents

F.       Moses 3:5  Create Spiritually before Naturally created

G.     Jacob 2:18-19  Responsibility to Others

    III.        Starting a Business

A.       Introduction:    D & C 133:15   Let all things be prepared before you.

B.      Business Idea

C.      Market Analysis

D.      Marketing Strategy

E.       Financial Analysis

F.       Business Plan

1.       Drafting

2.       Sharing

    IV.        Action   Doctrine & Covenants 58:26-29

The Spirit was strong and many individuals are looking forward to attending Career and Self Employment Workshops to be taught in the branch in the near future.  President Maebela will coordinate the dates and those to attend.  The Branch President Maebela exhorted the members to become Self Reliant and increase the overall tithing participation.  The expectation is that with a higher number of members paying a full tithing, the Branch will become a Ward and a building will be planned and built.  We hope to encourage such a worthy goal and accomplishment!

February 4-8   Self Employment Workshop was taught in the Employment Resource Center.  We had only 3 participants which allowed us to really focus on their individual businesses and their business plans.  Daniel and Haward from Cosmos City are already operating a landscaping and irrigation business.  In fact, Daniel has been in business for 13 years.  They want to expand and we spent some specific time reviewing their financial data and helping them to make changes and gear up for expansion.  Sibusiso from Birch Acres is starting a business to broker large mining machinery.  He and his partner plan on meeting with us next week.

February 6 -  We enjoyed an evening in Flat #205 being taught how to study Isaiah by Elder Nielsen.  He taught an institute class on the subject at the University of Iowa in his other life.  A very insightful discussion with good helps to improve and deepen our study of the prophet Isaiah.

8 February Remember Shain from last October, he met Elder Holland..... Well, today he got a job.  This is a monumental achievement!  When our patrons get a job, they ring THE BELL.  (No, not da bell)

February 9 -  We spent 2 hours at the Benoni Ward training High Councilor, Thembinkosi Mkhize, and new Stake Welfare Specialist, Present, how to effectively use the resources and train unit specialists and become effective resources for the Stake Presidency, Stake Council, Bishoprics and Ward Councils. 

We were inspired when we heard Thembinkosi’s story of growing up in the township with a single mother and learning self reliance and saving and paying for his own school.  He had to learn English when he started college.  It was very difficult, but after saving money for tuition, he was not going to fail his accounting curriculum.  Every term he improved. He graduated with all A’s for his final grades. He is now concerned that many of the youth are just waiting for the government or church to solve their problems instead of working, saving and learning in a self reliant way.

Present grew up with an alcoholic father and even though family provided many resources for her education, she had to diligently work until she also received a degree in accounting.  Present now works in accounting at a large bank and Thembinkosi is the manager of the PEF department in the Area Office.

February 10   We spoke in Tembisa Ward on Self Reliance and Employment issues.  Sister DaBell emphasized the lessons we learn from Nephi when he broke his bow and compared them to our unemployment challenges of today.  Elder DaBell spoke of the new Self Reliance Department and our need to rely on the Savior while working for Self Reliance in a balanced way:  Education, Employment, Home Storage, Resource Management, Physical Health, and Spiritual, Emotional and Social Health.   

During the third hour we taught over 60 youth about the critical decisions they need to make from 12 to 32 years of age.  (the critical two decades)  1.  Will you come unto Jesus Christ, accept His Atonement and follow Heavenly Father’s plan for you, including serving a mission?  2.  Whom will you marry and where?  3. What will be your life’s work and how do you plan to accomplish it?  We pointed out they could be successful in these areas if 1. They learn to receive and follow personal revelation in their daily living.  2.  Set priorities.   3.  Make obedience a quest.  4.  Know who you are.  5.  Use your agency and go to work.    

The Centurion Stake Young Men President was in attendance and suggested we present the same teachings at a combined Stake youth fireside.  We would be thrilled for that opportunity!

On the way home, we stopped at the orphanage to see how things are.  We learned that Mama’s son just passed away.  The funeral is this weekend.  We will try to attend.  You will notice that I am a very popular GRAMS at the orphanage.

Today, we began another Career Workshop Class.  Of 9 attending, 6 are not members.  This course is an excellent missionary tool, as well as being a great self-improvement tool.

We are suffering little heart pangs and a few tears as we miss so many important occasions.  Thank you wonderful family for staying so strong.  And thank you for the pictures, phone calls and letters.

Until Next time, Love Elder and Sister DaBell

28 January, 2013  

19 January, we went shopping at the Bruma Market.  It was quite an experience.  We did purchase a piano............a thumb piano.  

On the way there, I snapped a quick shot of an interesting corner.  Who would EVER dare to go to this doctor's office for anything?????

A chicken and a pig lived on a farm.  They made a commitment to the farmer.  They would provide breakfast for him.... As is shown on the cornflakes box, the chicken only wants to be “flakey.”  If flakey isn’t acceptable, the chicken will furnish eggs, and maintain her life.  The pig, on the other hand, does not have any choice.  His contribution is total commitment.

Last Monday, 21 January, our devotional speaker was Emmanual Mashonganika.  He is our adopted son.  He handles the maintenance for the missionary apartments and area offices.  He is a very pleasant young man.  While he was on his mission, 5 members of his family were murdered.  (Political Assassination) He remained on his mission.  He spoke about total commitment.

Mrs. Dash has come to our mission...............Thank you Garrett and Jessica, for the Mrs. Dash, and thank you Bridger for the beautiful picture.  There is not anything here that compares to Mrs. Dash.  Now I can make gravy, grill chicken and a lot of things.  Also thank you to you who have sent pictures, cards, letters to us.  We really, really appreciate the news from home.

January 20^th   We attended church at Rabie Ridge Ward.  Bishop Ranake talked to us about finding workshop opportunities to teach the trades to adult men who are out of work.  Many of these brothers are foreign born and need more specific help than the Self Employment Workshop offers.  We are brainstorming with the Bishop and searching for more resources to help these brethren.

January 21-25, 2013   Taught Self Employment Workshop with Elder Basso to 7 individuals.  This is a lively group and we will be critiquing their business plans on Friday.  Also, I met one on one with Deon and Filston to finish up Career Workshop material.

January 23^rd   We were interviewed by Elder Colin Bricknell, Area Seventy, Second Counsellor in the Area Presidency.  He is warm and welcoming.  On two occasions, Pretoria Stake Conference with Elder Holland and when we attended Kempton Park Ward, we have received instruction from him.  I was particularly impressed at Kempton Park when he used the Brightly Beams Hymn (one of our favourites) as a teaching theme to teach the priesthood brethren the importance of being a “lower light” and leading others to Christ.  He told us to continue searching for and teaching individuals Self Reliance and Employment principles and particularly to train Ward Councils as often as possible.  We appreciate his leadership.  A few years ago he and his dear wife served as Mission President of the Idaho Pocatello Mission, so we felt a special kinship thorough that experience.

January 26^th  I met Filston, (a returned missionary who grew up in the DRC) at the Employment Services Center to finish up his Career Workshop.  I was able to give him a French copy of the Career Workshop manual.  He was very grateful.  He is very sharp, but still struggles with English.  He served a mission in the Ivory Coast.  While there he served as a District Leader, Zone Leader and Assistant to the President.  (French was the main language)  He wants to be an Engineer.  He is married to Vanessa and they have one daughter, Princess.

They are working with their Bishop, Joburg 2^nd Ward, to be prepared to be sealed in the temple.  Filston has a security job in Sandton.  They live in Berea and he leaves home on work days at 4 am to walk for 2 hours to work.  He then works a 12 hour shift and walks home.  He says he walks to save enough money to pay tithing and the rent. 

This next year he will work nights and take classes in the day to gain computer training and work towards his long term goal.  His determination and faithfulness are exemplary.

January 27^th  We had the opportunity to speak in Sacrament Meeting in Hospital View ward on Self Reliance.  President Sheasby, 2^nd Counselor in the Centurion Stake Presidency presided and Bishop Cindi conducted.  

We also taught the young men / young women in the third hour about the critical two decades of decision:  12 years old to 32 years old.  We spoke of gaining a testimony, deciding whom and when to marry and deciding on education and career choices.  

 5 areas of focus for good decision making were:

1.        Learn to receive personal revelation in your daily living

a.       D & C 9:8-9  8:2 know the Holy Ghost  Elder Packer you cannot force spiritual things

b.      Feeling of peace.

2.       Set priorities

a.       Right place, right time, doing right thing, with right people to have right choices occurring in your life.  If you are doing a nice thing instead of the right thing, you are doing the wrong thing.  Have a plan.  Seek training and education. 

b.      Serve others  mentor someone

3.       Make obedience a quest

a.       John 14:15 Don’t make obedience a choice you are facing every day.  Make the decision now and live it.  All the Rules all the time.

4.       I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I know who I am.

a.       Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.  For it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.  Show you are who you profess to be. Stand as a witness in all things, all places.

5.       Act.  Make the decision.  Work. Live your testimony.  

Accept the responsibility for your choice.  Know the process of repentance.  Understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Sunday evening we went to the East Region Young Single Adult Fireside.  We had a table by the refreshments where we handed out a great deal of information on LDS Jobs and employment and provident living.  









On the way back from Bedfordview Stake Center in the dark, Lucy the Garmin quit, but we were blessed to be led safely home.  Seriously, momentarily, I was a bit confused in the dark as to our whereabouts, but I said a silent prayer and we made a few turns and ended up at Dukes Court in a very short time.  We have been constantly blessed in finding directions, finding people to teach and being led to priesthood leaders willing and receptive to training. 

January 28^th   Monday’s Devotional speaker was Melanie Mukonda from Physical Facilities.  She spoke of two of her sisters’ experiences with fasting and prayer.  One sister had been searching for employment for several years.  She was getting somewhat depressed, and came upon an article in the Liahona.  In the article, a mother had a child who was very ill with bronchitis that did not respond to treatment.  She realized that she had not tried fasting.  She fasted for her baby, and he recovered very quickly.  

Melanie's sister decided that she could fast in her quest for employment.  After fasting, she was able to secure not only one, but two jobs with in a weeks time.  The other sister had a similar experience.  After finding out that fasting had helped her sister, she tried it.  Within one week she, too had a job.  That is MIRACULOUS for South Africa!  Simple faith and following the counsel to fast and pray are such a profound example for all of us.

It is still the rainy season.  The skies are spectacular!!!!

Love from the Senior DaBells

13 January 2013

Home is the place where you can scratch where it itches!

5 January  2013 we finally made it to the Rhino Lion Park.  It is a drive yourself game park.  We tried going in November twice.  The first time, we got lost.  The second time, it was just after a big rain storm, and we ran the risk of getting stuck with the wild animals.  January 5 was a perfect day.  We took the Hoffmans and went for an adventure.  We saw wild dogs, Lions, Cheetahs, Rhinos, Tigers, Buzzards and other stuff including DLA (deer like animals) who knew how to scratch where it itched.  

Saturday evening we enjoyed a birthday dinner at Turn and Tender with the Curtis’.

3 January,  Friday afternoon, we served in the temple.  It is inspiring to step into a quiet, clean reverent place and feel the peace.

January 6, 2013   Visited Kempton Park Ward.  This building is unusual.  There are two beautiful stained glass windows in the front of the chapel.  








Coming to the building, we were following a bakki (small pickup) with two children in the back and a well used stroller.  We followed them into the church parking lot.  In the chapel, I saw the family again.  This time, I saw a 7 year old boy in the stroller.  He was friendly, smiling and offered me a postured hand to shake.  He probably has something like Cerebral Palsy.  We will check with his Bishop to see if there could be a possibility of a child’s wheel chair, or something a little more adequate than the well worn baby stroller.

 Testimony Meeting was inspiring as usual.  Elder and Sister Bricknell attended.  He is the new second counsellor in our area presidency.  He replaces Elder Soares who has been called to the Presidency of The Seventy.

In Priesthood,  Elder Bricknell was inspired by the Hymn: Brightly Beams and he instructed the Priesthood about being a “lower light” for someone and inviting them to come unto Christ.  He also reminded us of President Monson’s Prophetic Priorities building our faith in Christ, being Missionaries and “rescuing”.  It was inspiring to witness a presiding authority teaching by the Spirit as prompted at the moment. 

Brightly Beams comes into our life, yet again.

January 7-11, 2013   This is a new year and we worked this week to set up training opportunities in wards and branches over the next month.  We scheduled a visit and training opportunity in Hospital View Ward for January 27 and a “business / self-reliance” fireside for Etwatwa Branch for February3rd.   We spent time with Papy from Ennerdale reviewing his business plan and helping him make a list of potential funding sources for new equipment for shoe repair. 

The Employment Resource Center is a busy place.  Sister Piepgrass is a PEF missionary who helps with education loans.

January 12^th   We visited the Orphanage and found some additional repair needs. 

We have introduced Simphwe before. She has been with Mama since she was 7.  She calls Mama Grandmother.  She is a wonderful help.  She completed a level of her schooling at the end of the year in December and was very proud.  

There are currently 2 other teenage girls in the orphanage. 

They have been removed or kicked out of their homes.  I don’t know how long they will be at the orphanage, but they are very good helpers and take on some of the responsibilities of the daily routines.

This little guy has been in and out of his home.  He is currently at the orphanage again.  It is a safer place for him to be.

This is “Shorty” AKA  Siphwe.  He and his brother were brought to the orphanage by their mother shortly before she passed away.  He has been very silent before, sucking his thumb and “twirling” his hair.  Today, we saw him playing and interacting with the other children.

January 13^th   I drove Elder Hoffman to the airport at 6:30 am for his trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  He is checking out the medical needs of that mission and the medical facilities available.  

We then attended Etwatwa Branch with Sister Hoffman and Elder and Sister Anderson.  

This branch uses rented “speedspace” units.  They work out quite nicely, except the branch is growing too large for the space. 

Notice the baptismal font.

Wonderful children here.  We are always popular, because we look so different!

Stake President Von Reenen was in attendance and gave the branch some inspiring instruction.  The branch is growing and we will return on February 3^rd to participate in a Self Reliance Fireside.

The Relief Society and Gospel Doctrine instructors were very excellent.  I have never heard any better discussions.

January 14^th   We had a couples Home Evening where we watched a DVD on the History of the Church in Ghana and Liberia.   It was so inspiring to listen of members who waited 14 years for the Church to send missionaries to teach them.  The first baptisms were in December 1978 5 months after the “Priesthood Revelation.”   They had been reading the Book of Mormon and teaching the Gospel since the early 1960’s and faithfully waiting for the “proper time” to receive the authorized representatives of the Church.  When President Kimball sent missionaries in 1978, they already had 2000 people desiring church activity and baptism.  Would we be so patient and faithful??

When they sing “Come O thou King of Kings we’ve waited long for thee,” they  sing, “Come O thou King of Kings, we wait too long for thee.”

They have morning Glory here, it doesn’t look like the morning glory I grew up knowing, but it is a parasite never the less.  Sometimes things that are beautiful, are not desirable.  

This hydrangea is called the Christmas flower.   It is still feeding my soul.  Until next week, Elder and Sister DaBell.