October 10, 2012

We have been richly fed again this General Conference!  In South Africa conference is viewed in the wards and branches one or two weeks later because the original broadcast starts at 6 pm and the afternoon session concludes at 12 midnight.

There are 44 couple missionaries serving in South Africa including those serving in the Temple Welfare Services, Humanitarian Services, Member Leadership Support, Seminary and Institute, Perpetual Education Fund, Legal Services, Real Estate, Area Auditing, and Executive Secretary to the area presidency.   There are many areas that are in need of more help.  All are welcome!!!!

We were able to visit Saulsville Ward Sunday, October 7.  There was a great spirit in Fast and Testimony meeting.  We had the opportunity to discuss Welfare / Employment in Ward Council.  (great turn out in Ward Council)  the Bishop is very caring.

We announced workshops being held in Mamelodi on Oct 16^th and 17^th, there may be some attend from Saulsville.

In Priesthood they discussed moving back to Atteridgeville Ward building next month.  There are some travel concerns, but overall seemed like most felt the attendance would improve and certainly the reverence. 

In my experience in Montana and Idaho, I found overlapping the wards with one starting at 9 and the other starting at 11 worked very well and got both wards done by 2 pm.  I know the Atteridgeville building is very well equipped and should house both wards efficiently.

In Relief Society I was asked to give an announcement concerning our Career and Self Employment Workshops.  They gave me 15 minutes.  It turned into a serving through visiting teaching discussion and a review of how the ward council can be of service to those who are reported as having needs through visiting and home teaching.  When visiting teaching and home teaching are not done or not reported as to individual needs, the council cannot be very effective.



On the Left is Elder Rowberry from Arizona.  He is related to the Rowberrys in Sugar City.



Just a little of what we are doing here in South Africa:  every other week, we teach a Career Workshop in the Employment Resource Center.  Three days 4 hours a day.  The participants are given a pass into the Employment Resource Center for three months after completing the course.  They can come in, use the computers, telephones, newspapers, get help on writing resumes, registering on ldsjobs.org, and any other help we can offer.

 The Career workshop is a course designed to help prepare the job seeker to present himself effectively in seeking employment, enrolling in a school, applying for financial aid, or to improve his own business. 

The first category is to review GOALS.  Reviewing your background helps you understand your strengths, weaknesses, recognize the worth of what you have done, express your likes and dislikes, and set goals in an area where you will find success.

The second category is exploring your RESOURCES, including networking with those you know and come in contact with, using directories using employment websites, and following up with contacts.

The third category we cover is INTERACTING WITH RESOURCES.  Making powerful impressions, getting appointments, learning interviewing techniques, preparing impressive written materials, and how to follow-up with your actions.

Lastly, we cover CONTINUED SUCCESSES.  Learning to negotiate, how to prevent problems in the workplace, growth in your career, and recognizing what success is. 

We also teach this course in wards and branches during our “off” weeks.  For many of our clients, the 75 rand to get a taxi to the Center is too much money.  That is the equivalent of about $8 for us.

About 8 people are placed in jobs through the Center each month.  180-190 complete the Career Workshop each year in the Center.  That really adds up to about 50% placement of those who attend the course in the Center.  We need to train leaders who can teach in the wards and branches.  Think of how much power that would add to the program.  There are public libraries, Ward and Branch computers, and many people have some air time on data phones, so ldsjobs.org is quite accessible.

We would encourage all of you LDS or not, to go onto ldsjobs.org and see what is there. 

This week we have 10 attending our class.

I went shopping Tuesday at Bret’s.  It is a home industry type of business.  Bret makes bags, pillows, and things for distributors like TJ Mack’s.  His wife (sorry I can’t remember her name) makes jewellery, table linens and things.  Their home is an older estate with fantastic grounds.  It was a fun outing.



Yes, this is Linda Hymas from Rexburg!!! 
She and Doug are serving here in Seminaries and Institutes!



Jake, the sister sitting here is Sister Green. 
They are from Spokane and have 2 daughters you have met.



We appreciate all who are supporting the roof repairs at the Tembisa Orphanage.  Hopefully the work starts Monday, as the rains have begun.

Our Love to you all, Elder and Sister DaBell, Mom and Dad, Grams and Papa.