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