27 December 2012

Tis the Season......all over the world.......

The morning of December 15^th was the Christmas party at the Orphanage.  We took the items we assembled with the Tshabalala Family and the Bassos and were joined by the Greens, the Andersons, the Wollienz' and the Petersons. 



Sister Anderson



These children have lived through tremendous trauma.  They always appreciate a warm secure hug, and we are happy to oblige

The Petersons presented a new industrial sewing machine to Mama. The gift came from their family.  Mama said, now I have a husband I will let in the house (meaning the sewing machine) 

The Tshabalala Family

Front:  Khumo and Ntando 

Back:  Bokang, Moipane, Dominic, Minenhle and Awande

We had a Nativity program with the Tshabalala family being the actors for Mary, Joseph,  the  angels, shepherds and wise men.   We used This Is the Season from the Primary song book for the narration. 

We also sang some Christmas carols, ate a hot dog brunch and gave the children some gifts:  hygiene kits, hard plastic lockers to keep personal items in and a few other “toy” gifts.  Mama and the children were appreciative and happy. 

The little girls also received one of the dolls made by Sister Peterson with a little help from some of the rest of us.

Dominic was like a “pied piper” in playing games with the kids. 

December 16^th   we attended church at the Hospital View ward.  Bishop Cindi said after the Holidays they would invite us back to train Ward Council, speak in Sacrament meeting and teach the youth on making decisions.

This is the sky that greeted us on our way out of church!!!

Sunday, we also visited the MTC with cookies and carols.  the missionaries presented a nativity play, and then we sang.  Afterwards there were two banquet tables filled with cookies that were quickly eaten.  The MTC experience is a steep learning curve for many of these missionaries as they come from remote villiages without running water or electricity.  Many things to learn besides teaching the gospel and showing people the way to Jesus Christ.

December 17^th   we went with the Senior Couples on a train ride to Magliesburg  Nature Reserve:  very fun, good food, good company and beautiful country! 

The train is a 1930s stean engine that has an automatic coal feeder.  You can move from car to car.  There were a lot of families who travelled to have a picnic.  We had lunch at the Magliesburg Hotel Resort.  It was a public holiday.

Racing the train is fun for some...... 

Waving at the train is fun for others......

We passed farmland......

Old mine dumping grounds.....

Housing areas.....

And had a beautiful day.

Merry Christmas and the best to all of you in the New Year.  Love, Elder and Sister DaBell

14 December 2012-12-14

(by the way Attila the Hyundai is mended, running well and can now charge Lucy, the Garmin).

Anyway you look at it! 

This young man’s name is Anyway.  He is a returned missionary from Zimbabwe.  He has a diploma in Graphic and Web Design.  Very personable young man.  Anyway you look at it, he is Anyway.

Sunday 9 Dec 2012, we attended church at Birch Acres Branch in the Birch Acres Township in the Centurion Stake.  They meet in a rental unit at a Shopping Center.  The rental reminds me of the one Jack and Manda attended in Hermitage.  It has been “improved” a bit and is a comfortable place for this branch to meet. 

You will notice the restrictions on the door way.  No Loitering, No Hawkers and No Jobs.

These houses are part of the township that the members of the Birch Acres Branch live in.

We see vendors all over who sell a variety of things at the traffic lights.

Whoa!  Elder DaBell, Love that profile!

If thou of fortune be bereft,

And in thy store there be but left,

Two loaves, sell one, and with the dole,

Buy "Hydrangeas" to feed thy soul.

Monday and Tuesday we taught a Self Employment class in Mabopane.  Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, we taught a Career Workshop class in the Employment Resource Center.  Busy Week!

Last week we had a sister come into the center with her baby on her back.  She gave me permission to take pictures.  Very photogenic mom and baby.

Monday was a Missionary Farewell for the Webbs who were our next door neighbours when we arrived here.  The months are flying by..................

Wednesday, we invited the Tshabalala Family and the Bassos for pizza and to prepare some Christmas items for the orphanage.  We ate, assembled our Christmas items, watched the Piano Guys playing O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and sang Christmas Carols.  We had Family Prayer together.

The children are like grandchildren to us, and Dominic and Moipone are like our children.  Wonderful family!!  We will deliver our gifts to the orphanage on Saturday and share the Nativity Story and Christmas Carols.

Thursday evening we attended Ward Council for Centurion First Ward to present some training.  I am always amazed at the similarities between the congregations of the church and the Self Reliance Issues.

Today we found that not all mammals in trees are monkeys.   There is some serious tree trimming going on outside our window. Not of the Christmas variety either!

We have a holiday attached to this weekend, with a train ride (steam engine) on Monday.  Next weeks blog will be busy again.  Love to you all, Elder and Sister DaBell

3 December 2012

Oh what do you do in the summer time

When all the world is green?

Do you find yourself old

And not missing the cold

And pray for the land of the free?

Is that what you do?

So do we.



 We had a zone conference with Elder Soares November 29.  After the Conference, we enjoyed a picnic in the Johannesburg Botonical Gardens.

Oh what do you do in the summer time

When all the world is green?

Do you hang Christmas sox

Or mail out a box

To your fam-i-ly over the seas?

Is that what you do?

So do we.

We found some Christmas decorations in the top of our closet.  The tree is not as hard to put up as our one in Bozeman which is 12 feet high.

Oh what do you do in the summer time

When all the world is green?

Do you stuff children’s dolls

Or walk on the mall

Or count Christmas lights on the tree?

Is that what you do?

So do we.

Sister Peterson (left) has a project she asked for help on.  She is making dolls for 2-3 orphanages for Christmas.  Very cute project.  In one hospital downtown Jo-Burg, there are 1000 babies born a week.  some of them go home in paper bags.  Sister Hoffman is heading up a project to make 1000 blankets to give to the babies who wouldn't have anything to be wrapped in. The Sister in yellow is Sister Rose.

We are able to walk (run) on the top of the mall across the street.  It provides a safe close place for exercise

This is a view of our apartment building from the top of the mall.  Our "flat" is on the bottom row looking out over the garage roof.  The view is very nice.  We can't see the street and the next building is not close.  The trees are beautiful.

Oh what do you do in the summer time

When all the world is green?

Do you play Christmas songs

Or just hum along

Or carol? We love all three!

Is that what you do?

So do we.

I am missing my real piano!!!!
But I am thankful even for a keyboard.



You save electricity when you buy on the hoof, or wing as it were..........

Just let it roam until you are ready for the meal.



Oh what do you do in the summer time

When all the world is green?

Do you make Christmas treats

The word here is sweets

And share with the neighbours you see?

Is that what you do?

So do we.



These families are from the Democratic Republic of Congo .  They are going to the temple to be sealed as families for all eternity.  They  came by plane and speak only French.  They loved having their picture taken and then looking at what was on my camera.



The Bunkers came to Johannesburg with these families from the DRC.  They had just completed their mission and were on their way home to Salt Lake City.



Oh what do you do in the summer time

When all the world is green?

Do you share what you know

And help others to grow

Or humble yourself on your knees?

Is that what you do?

So do we.



This Nativity is made in  Kenya.  It is banana leaves.



Oh what do you do in the summer time

When all the world is green?

Do you act out The Play

Of Nativity Day

And be grateful that

He came to be?

Is that what you do?

So do we

November 19^th and 20^th   Elder Basso and I taught a Self Employment Workshop to 9 individuals in Tembisa.   Sister Beauty, the Ward Employment Specialist, arranged for lunch each day. 

November 20^th   Sister DaBell and I were interviewed by President Armstrong and set apart to be temple ordinance workers.  We have much to learn!

 

November 22^nd   We had Thanksgiving dinner in the Area Presidency  “White House”  garage.  Excellent food and good will and a devotional talk by Elder Cook helping us all think of our many blessings.

November 23^rd   We worked as temple ordinance workers in the Johannesburg Temple for the first time.  We anticipate helping every other Friday afternoon.  Ordinances performed in the temple are a  culmination  of much missionary work both here and in the Spirit World.

November 25^th    We attended Centurion First Ward.  Bishop Comrie was very welcoming  and  invited us to do training at Ward Council on Thursday,  December 13^th at 7 pm.  We were inspired in Sacrament meeting with talks on the importance of the family.

November 26^th and 27^th   Elder Basso and I taught Self Employment Workshop to 5 individuals in Vosloorus Ward.   We met a member, 76 year old Ishmael, who was caring for a ward garden near the chapel.   We also met a man named Phillip at Pick N Pay from the Assembly of God church who we offered to teach a workshop on Careers and he promised to get back to us.

November 26^th  FHE:   President and Sister Reber from the Johannesburg MTC shared the miracle happening to young missionaries they welcome every 3 weeks  (every two weeks starting in January)   They are devoted servants and are helping train and change lives.  One part of the presentation was titled "No, Elder, No".....VERY FUNNY.

November 28^th, 29^th, and 30^th   We taught 8 individuals the Career Workshop, a delightful  and intelligent group.  (members from the DRC often struggle with English, but are so anxious to learn.

December 2 we attended Sacrament meeting in Tembisa Ward and Relief Society and Priesthood meeting in Rabie Ridge Ward.   After the Christmas holidays we will have the opportunity to do training and teaching in these two wards.

Wonderful Children!!!!

Sunday evening we had a display of Employment Resources at the Regional Young Single Adult fireside held in the Pretoria Stake Center.  Elder and Sister Soares were the speakers and were very personable.  The message for the youth was about decision making and honoring covenants.  They spoke of their own courtship and how their lives today are a result of the good decisions they made and honored in their youth.


We are considering a downsize in our automobiles when we come home.

We are above all, truly blessed. 

Our love to all, Elder and Sister DaBell