Just one more flat flood!!!!

 This is a summer view of Lesotho in the early evening.  Everything is so green and beautiful.

Last weeks blog included Monday's activities.  So we will begin this weeks blog with Tuesday.  Wayne went into Maseru Tuesday morning to try to get the washer hose hooked up and some repairs to the curtain rods etc.  He also got the smoke detectors put up and working.  I stayed home and got some office work done and the much needed laundry, etc.  I love it when I get a day to stay home.  It does not seem to happen very often so it is a real treat when it does happen. 

Wednesday morning I got a call from Elder Daines asking if we would be willing to make some soup for one of his investigators who was very ill.  Of course I said I would and so I spent the morning making some good old homemade Chicken Soup and some rolls.  We took it into Masianokeng to the Elder's flat so they could deliver it to the ailing investigator.  Of course I took enough for the Elders to have some for lunch as well.  I heard later that the soup really helped her and that she was up and going the next day.  I told Elder Daines it was probably the Priesthood blessing that he had given her and he told me it was that plus the Relief Society Home made soup.  It is an impossible combination to beat!

We then headed to the Maseru Elders old flat to hopefully hand over the keys, however, there were a few problems that needed to be resolved.  They were going to charge us to empty the septic tank again, plus painting the two upstairs bedrooms, and the water bill for that month.  After a tough discussion we agreed to meet the following week once we had made arrangements to have the water meter read and received a final billing.  We told the manager that we would show receipts for the septic tank having been emptied four times that month and that we were not paying for it again.  I tell you, they will cheat you anyway they can here.  I told her that we did not want to cheat her, but we also did not want them to be dishonest with us.

After an hour at the water company, we managed to arrange for the water meter to be read in Maseru.  The wheels do turn slowly here.

That evening about 10:00 we got a phone call from the Maseru 2 elders that Maseru 1's flat was flooding again.  The geyser had leaked again and water was running out the door of the flat.  I had them put the landlord on the phone (he lives next door) and told him that since this was the 2nd time in a week that the flat had flooded,  I was sure that he would want to help the Elders mop this mess up and that we would be in to see him in the morning and wanted to know at that time what he was going to do to remedy the situation so this did not happen again.  The Zone leaders (that live in the flat) were in Bethlehem for the ZTM the next day.

We were in by 7:30 the next morning to see what damage was done and cleaned up a little more mess that had gathered over night.  Teboho (the landlord) assured us that he would have the problem fixed before the end of the day.  I told Teboho that he was to call me once the plumber had come and inform me of the solution to the problem and then he was to call me again when it was actually fixed. He ended up changing the flex hose piping to copper piping and I think we will not have another problem with it.  I hope! 

We then headed off to Bethlehem for the ZTM meeting.  We always feed the elders a full lunch for ZTM and this time we fed them barbeque beef on a bun with fresh fruit salad and chips.  Brownies for desert.  They thought they had died and gone to heaven.  They ate and ate and ate. 

When we got home from Bethlehem I tried my luck at making a cheese cake here in South Africa.  We were going to Bloemfontein to help the Wyatt's with the Seminary and Institute Graduation etc. and we were going to do a little American thanksgiving celebration.  I was bringing cheese cake.  It turned out pretty good if I do say so myself.

A road side fruit stand here in Ladybrand.  I purchased fresh cherries to take to the Wyatt's and Shumway's.

Friday morning we were off early to head to Bloemfontein.  I had errands to run in preparation for the Elder's Christmas party here and just for some general supplies.  We were in Bloem by 10:00 AM and helped the Wyatt's get the Relief Society room ready for the Saturday morning training session for all the Seminary and Institute Teachers and the Branch Presidents for the whole district.  We had to vacuum, set up tables and chairs, haul in supplies, you name it.  Sister Wyatt's mother had passed away the week before and her mother's funeral was going to be the next day.  She was hoping to be able to listen to parts of it thru skype once all her seminary and institute responsibilities were over.  I felt so badly for her with all the pressure she was under.

A local corner grocery store on the way to Bloemfontein

We met the Shumway's late Friday afternoon and went to check out a game drive right near their home.  We are thinking of taking Inge and her Mom on it when they come next month.  Saturday morning we got up very early and went for a walk in the rain.  This was the rainbow we saw in the sky.

After our rainy walk we got cleaned up and headed over to the church to help with the training seminar.  It was a great session headed by Brother Kumbilani from Johannesberg.  He is over all the Seminaries and Institutes for all of Africa.  What a motivator and inspiring instructor.  Once the training was over, we were responsible for setting out Pizza's for them to eat quickly before the Graduation ceremony started.  While everyone went into the Seminary and Institute Graduation, we cleaned up the lunch mess and put away all the tables and chairs, vacuumed again and then went in to enjoy the graduation for a minute before we had to get the refreshments set out for the graduation guests to enjoy.  Sister Wyatt had purchased cookies and juice and we just had to put 3 cookies on a napkin for them to come by and pick up.  There was approximately 110 people at the graduation.  Once we got that all over with, cleaned up and put away we headed back to Ladybrand to get ready for Sunday.

Sunday morning we picked Norma Kwezi Majozi up and took her to Bethlehem to go to church.  Norma is the 21 year old girl from Ficksburg that we are teaching the discussions to.  She wants to be baptized very badly, but until she gets her passport and can get to church on a regular basis we don't want her to be baptized.  She loved church and can't wait to go again.  There was some young people there her age and they came up and visited with her.  The investigators class for Sunday school was well taught and she really enjoyed that as well.  I then took her into Relief Society, and I then got asked to teach the lesson.  Gratefully it was on Elder Ballard's Conference talk on "Being Anxiously Engaged", which I had just talked about the week before in District Conference. 

We dropped Norma off in Ficksburg and then drove into Lesotho and down to Masianokeng where Wayne was to interview two women (candidates for baptism).  President Von Stetten had asked him the night before to interview them as they had needed further interviewing as a result of some unresolved issues.  Wayne said it was a very sweet experience and that both sisters were very ready for baptism and that their repentance was sincere.  As I waited in the bakki while this was happening I got asked to speak at the baptism next Sunday.  My favorite thing!

Monday morning we were up at the crack of dawn.  I made a batch of orange rolls and cinnamon buns, hash browns, a baked ham and Dad made egg mcmuffins for the elders who were coming to our house for breakfast.  Elder Dube had a Dr.'s appointment in Ladybrand so they all decided it would be a fun P-day activity to come together.  They had a great time eating breakfast and they licked the platters clean.

P-day breakfast at the Holt's.  Starting on the left and going around the table - Elder Daines (DL), E. Mukuusi, Elder Smith, Elder Dickerson, Elder Dube, Elder Kiyimba, Elder Adams (ZL), Elder Steed (ZL)

A rousing game of "Wacky 6" after breakfast.  Good thing it was P-day

Elder Dickerson and Elder Dube heading off to tract on bikes in Maseru

I think one of the most wonderful things about this whole week was that we learned that Spencer, Brittany, Michelle and Rod have booked their trip to come and visit us in South Africa in February.  We are so excited and we are trying to decide the things that we want to show them.  We are not sure how we are going to fit everything into the schedule. 

We are also very much looking forward to the arrival of Inge and Lida (Inge's Mother) as they will be arriving on December 19th for a visit over Christmas.  We feel so blessed to have them coming to spend Christmas with us.  I know that it will help us with the pangs of homesickness that might just crop up.  We will be very busy showing them this beautiful country and hoping that they will love it as much as we do.  Inge has been so busy these last few months putting the finishing touches on her Masters program.  She has kept her nose to the grindstone as she spits out numerous papers every week for her final project.  Because she is coming to see us she is trying very hard to get ahead of schedule and has been so diligent in staying focused and on task.  Amazing!

Well, it is late and bed is calling, as morning seems to come very early around here.  We love you all and hope all is well in your world.  The Lord continues to bless us abundantly.  We love the gospel of Jesus Christ and are so grateful for our testimonies and for the opportunity to serve everyday.  We truly are "anxiously engaged" and feel grateful that the Lord entrusts us each day with people to serve.

Elder and Sister Holt

Another week of learning

This was the sky Sunday evening as we drove home from Maseru

 This week has been another full week.  We are constantly learning and growing as we serve and fulfill our responsibilities here.  The picture above is our scene of the week.  This was a sunset view as we left Lesotho.

Monday Nov. 12th was a glorious day for me.  I spent the morning sewing 18 Christmas socks for the elders in our zone.  I shopped for treats to fill them with and got things ready for their Christmas party next month.  Sister Von Stetton has ties for each elder and I got those all wrapped ready to distribute.  Since I had to teach an enrichment class in Masianokeng this coming Saturday I also got two small quilts ready to be tied by the sisters.  All in all it was a very enjoyable day as I got prepared for the coming Christmas season and the coming activities throughout the week.

 Tuesday morning found us on the road very early, heading to Phuda to do a flat check and to also help the branch President check out a new school to hold their meetings in for the coming year.  We met with the principal of one and explained what we would need etc.  They are meeting this week with the board and will let us know after that.  Next we headed to Bethlehem where we met with Elder Maring and his companion to help him celebrate his birthday.  I spent a little time running errands in Bethlehem getting equipment that I couldn't find in Maseru for the elders that would be arriving that night in Masianokeng, thus making the boarding a foursome rather than a twosome.  We picked up two bikes from the Bethlehem elders to give to the Masinokeng II elders who will be walking or on bikes.  We then ordered and picked up pizza for the Bethlehem elders and also for the three elders that we would be bringing back to Maseru with us to complete transfers.  By the time we got the bikes, all their luggage and three big elders into the bakkie, we were pretty squished.  When we picked the elders up at the greyhound bus depot, the skies opened up and it began to pour buckets.  It came so hard and within minutes we were all soaked.  About 9:00 PM that night we got the elders safely delivered in Maseru and then headed back across the border and home again - finally.  One great experience we had when we picked up the elders at the bus depot, was that one elder on the bus (he was travelling on to Bloemfontein) got off the bus for a minute and looked at Wayne's tag and said "Holt!, I got a letter from a young Holt girl - I think it was your granddaughter.  That Saturday we met him in Bloemfontein and here is a picture of us with him.  Annie - he is going to write you a letter back.  Watch for it in the mail.  He was so thrilled to get some mail.  He said he never gets mail from home and it is so hard when all the other elders get mail and packages from home, but there is never any for him.  Thanks Annie for making his day so happy!

This is Elder Ramasianandro - one of the Elders Annie wrote to.  He is from Madagascar.  Look that one up on your globe.

Once I got home Tuesday night I still had to make a birthday cake for Elder Mukuui's birthday the next day.  So I baked it that night and got up early the next morning to get it iced and ready to deliver.  We had to be into Maseru by 8:30 Wednesday morning to meet the carpet cleaners for the old Maseru flat.  It never fails, when we have to be in by a certain time there is always a line-up at the border.  The carpets looked great 4 hours later and Elder Mukuusi was so thrilled about his birthday cake.  Elder Mukuusi is from Kenya and I don't think he has had many birthday cakes in his lifetime.  Wednesday night once we got home we got a phone call from Brother Terry John.  He serves with Wayne on the District Council and he lives in Ficksburg (about an hour north of us).  He informed us that it was the Cherry Festival that week and would we like to come and see this annual event.  We checked our calendar and due to a cancellation for Thursday we could meet him in Ficksburg and go to visit a cherry orchard and then participate in all the fun activities associated with the festival.

We met Terry by 8:30 that morning and went to sign up for the tour of the cherry orchard.  About two hours later (the driver got lost) we finally arrived at the cherry orchard where we learned about growing cherries and how about 95% of the crop this year was killed due to a late frost in early September.  We learned lots of other great and interesting facts about growing cherries.  We got to help ourselves to the cherries and then we went back to the packing shed and saw how they cleaned and sorted the fruit.  We were each given a packet of cherries to take home and we bought some of the dried fruit that they sold there also.  Very delicious.

This is the cherry sorter.  Terry John is the man on the right.  The little cherries come out first and the biggest cherries come out last.

We also went to the Methodist church where they had a display or flowers and flower arrangements.  This is just inside the chapel doors of the Methodist church

Friday morning we spent some time getting out talks ready for the district conference on Saturday afternoon and evening in Bloemfontein.  The district President, President Grobler asked Wayne and I to speak in the adult session Saturday night.  We were asked to speak on "Being anxiously engaged in a good cause."  I think we are almost qualified to speak on that topic.  Wayne had to head into Maseru to take bike repair stuff to the Masianokeng II elders.   That evening I made orange rolls to take to the enrichment activity Saturday morning.

Teaching the Masianokeng RS sisters to put a quilt on the frames and then to tie a quilt.  Sister Sebotsa's first experience using a thimble.

 

 

 Saturday morning we were up very early to be ready to teach the sisters in Masianokeng how to tie a quilt.  They loved the orange rolls and invited me to come back and teach them how to make them.  Plenty of opportunity to serve here!

We left right at noon and headed to Bloemfontein to attend the Priesthood meeting (Wayne) and I attended the leadership training meeting.  After which we went right into the Adult session of conference.  It was a great meeting and we both felt very relieved to have our responsibilities over with.  President Von Stetten (the mission President and his wife) surprised the district presidency and showed up for the meeting.

We stayed over night at the Shumway's home and Sunday morning we got up early and went for a lovely walk in their game preserve that is their back yard.  We hurried home had a quick breakfast and headed off to the area conference which was pre-recorded and then broadcast thru the medium of CD's to the whole of Africa.  President Monson was the concluding speaker and we felt like we had been spiritually fed when it was over.  We left as soon as it was over and headed back to Maseru where we had appointments to teach two temple preparation classes to two different families. 

 

We very much enjoyed teaching both families.  Each are progressing at their own rate, but they love to have us come and discuss the blessings that the temple will bring to their lives.  The spirit is in attendance everytime we meet with them.  What a great blessing to be able to teach these families.

This is the Nchapi family.  They are looking forward to going to the temple to be sealed together forever.

 I was up at 4:30 to bake a batch of raisin cookies to take with us to share with the Wyatt's and Shumway's.  We were heading to the non-school in Lekokoaneng to take the 100 plus books that had been collected.  Once we get turned off the highway onto the dirt road we met up with Mathakeng and her associate.  The Wyatt's and Shumway's get in the front of the Bakki and we three ladies get in the back of the Bakki for the rough ride over dirt trails.

Mathakenge's associate, me and Mathakenge.  Mathakenge told me she is going to have a baby - her 2nd.

This cute little boy was by the road where we picked up Mathakenge.  His little jacket is stitched closed because the zipper is broken.  We gave him suckers, but could not get him to smile.

This is a common site along the trail to the school.  These farmers are off to work for the day.

This is a sampling of the books that Dad and I left at the chief's house. 

These books will be left in the non-school and the children of the community can come in and use them like a library.  Mathakenge was so excited to see so many wonderful books.  Both ladies started picking them out of the crates and were reading them as we bumped along the rutted trail.

The chief is the man on the far right, his wife is in front of him.  The other ladies are volunteers at the non-school.

We also visited the community school while we were there.  These are some of the cute children that we had the opportunity to interact with.

It was a full and wonderful day.  Thanks again to all who have contributed funds for the purchasing of these great books that will enrich these children's lives as they "Read 20 minutes everyday".  We felt that Shauna was pleased with the work we did yesterday.

We will close once again as this is getting very long.  Thanks for your prayers and support as we continue learning many lessons serving here in this part of the world.  Time is going very quickly.  We have been out for over 5 months already.    We will think of all you American's enjoying your Thanksgiving dinner in the next few days and enjoying being together with family.

Love

The Holt's 

Moving Week

Elder Daines, Steed and Mukuusi

 Monday morning started early as we headed into Maseru to help the elders move into their new flats.  As we were trying to move in a woman was trying to get the final cleaning done on the flats.  It was less than satisfactory to say the least.  However, Elder Daines, the Elder with the table on his head above, asked if he could rent a trailer to help expedite the move - a brilliant idea.  We got the Elders "stuff" moved with the help of the trailer and three bakki's.  While the elders finished unpacking, we took Elder Daines to the "Dept. store" in Maseru to purchase a needed fridge, sofa, chair, washer, microwave, two beds, etc. etc.  It was so helpful to have the trailer to load all of these big items in to haul them where they needed to go. Some of it was for the Maseru elders and some was for the Masianokeng elders which are to arrive this week with transfers.

Elder Tshabane, Elder Daines and Elder Dube unpacking the kitchen

The Leribe elders, and the Masianokeng Elders were a big help in getting the move done quickly.  It was especially kind of them to come and help as Elder Motsisi was still out of commission with his arm in a cast.

Elder Motsisi keeping his arm elevated and trying to rest amid the chaos

 We took all the Elders out to lunch once we got everything moved and unloaded, to let them know they did a great job - especially the service the other two districts provided to the Maseru elders.  It was also Elder Motsisi's farewell dinner as he completes his mission on November 13th and will be going home.

Tuesday morning found us back in Maseru running like crazy trying to purchase drapes, dishes, pots, pans.  We then spent time getting drapes hung and apartments organized and set to rights.  What a lot of work!  We got home just in time to go Home Teaching in Ladybrand to Sister Cadribo's home.

Wednesday we went in to help the Elders get their old flat cleaned and ready for a final inspection with the landlord.  When we arrived at the flat these three little children were waiting for us.  As you can see they were especially excited to see us.  You will see why in the next picture.

Three little neighborhood children awaiting treats that arrive in the white bakki

Sister Holt is the bearer of treats to the little waifs.  These children's hands and faces were so dirty, I just wanted to give them a wash.

Elder Steed and Elder Daines putting the final cleaning on the light fixtures.  They had to clean the flat with no running water.

Elder Motsisi (left), Elder Lowry, Elder Mukuusi (top), Elder Dube (right)

 These elders worked so hard - well, maybe not Elder Motsisi, but the rest did a great job doing the final cleaning on their flat.  I was very impressed!  We were so impressed they got hamburgers, french fries and soda for lunch. 

Thursday was a welcome relief, we didn't go into Maseru for a change.  We went to Bethlehem instead and did a flat check there.  There were some repairs that needed to be done there, so we ran to the Build It Store - (sort of like a Home Depot) and got plumbing supplies, door handles, etc. and Dad went back to play plumber and I ran to the mall to get a few needed items for the Maseru flat that I couldn't find in Lesotho.

Friday morning the Maseru Elders arrived bright and early at our house as I had to take Elder Dube to the Dr. to get medication for athletes foot.  Once we got home, the 4 elders were hungry so Elder Holt offered to make them breakfast.  16 eggs later, they were finally full and we sent them on their way.  We had been invited for lunch to Elder Daine's and Mukussi's to discuss the division of their district.  They have been so busy there that the president is sending two new elders to help with the work.  Elder Daine's prepared chicken breasts, tossed salad, and homemade bread.  We brought a cheesy potato dish and we had a great meal.  As we were leaving a little later this was the sight that we saw.

In Masianokeng, this is the Friday afternoon pass-time - rolling tires down the road.

 Friday night I made cowboy cookies, brownies and ginger snaps for the transferring and leaving Elders on Sunday.

Saturday morning we were on the road by 7:30, heading back into Maseru for the Seminary graduation.  On the way in we met up with a major check stop.  There were about 30 policemen stationed on both sides of the highway.  They were pulling everyone over.  The policeman asked for Wayne's drivers licence - which he produced.  Meanwhile a woman police office came to my side of the bakki and asked me to roll down my window.  I did and she said "So, where are you hiding your weapons?"  I told her I didn't have any weapons.  She said, "How many weapons are you hiding?  Are they under the seat?  Where".  I told her again that we were missionaries and we don't carry weapons.  Then the policeman checking Wayne's drivers licence said "Wow, I stopped a pastor".  He laughed and laughed.  Then he sent us on our way.  There were all kinds of machine guns being carried by other police officers stationed up and down the road. 
We had agreed to help the Wyatt's with the graduation by setting up the refreshments once the graduation was over.  It was supposed to start at 10:00 AM.  We were there and all set up, ready to go, and we had about 5 people there at 10:00.  We waited and waited and waited.  A member of the district presidency was supposed to be there to speak - no show!  We couldn't get ahold of him to find out what had happened to him.  The Maseru branch choir was supposed to sing and they weren't there yet.  Finally about 11:00 people started to arrive.  The choir went in and started practicing and then about 11:30 there were about 50 people there and we began the graduation.  Sister Wyatt ended up speaking at the last minute and they had the Branch Presidents present the graduates for their diplomas.  (Wyatt's couldn't pronounce their names)

Some of the happy graduates with their diplomas.  Wyatt's on the back row on the right.

While the graduation was going on, the Maseru Primary was having an activity.  They taught the children how to do a family group sheet.  Isn't this a cute little boy?

All these little primary children kept coming into the Relief Society room where I had set out the refreshments wanting some cookies and juice.  I am sure you would not be surprised if I told you that everything we set out got eaten!

Once we finished cleaning everything up we met with the Pufamane's and taught them another temple preparation class.  Once we finished we drove them home and then went over to the Maseru Zone leaders flat to help them get their kitchen organized.  They had been too busy to get things put away and needed a hand.  Remember, Elder Steed was the only one with two hands, Elder Motsisi was pretty useless with his arm in a cast. 

While I was helping him organize his kitchen, we heard a loud bang.  Elder Steed went into the other room to see what the loud noise was.  He couldn't find anything so he went outside and then next door to see what it was.  All of a sudden we heard water running - actually gushing.  Next thing we know there is water running in the bedroom and bathroom from the ceiling.  We had a flood within a few minutes.  The geyser on the roof had sprung a leak and it emptied the water into the flat.  We started mopping up the mess and trying to save all the books, papers and stuff in boxes on the floor.  We were scrambling.  Eventually the geyser ran out of water and we got the water turned off at the source and finally got things mopped up.  Poor Elder Steed was so tired and discouraged.  The night before there was a terrible rain/hail storm and their bedroom had a leak in the ceiling and it got flooded.  Once we got the office back to order he went in and started doing some paper work and I started to mop the floors in the rest of the apartment that were all muddy from tracking in and out cleaning up the mess.  It was late by the time we got back home that night.  I felt like I had had all the flood experience I needed for a while.

Once we got home we had to cook a roast as we were making roast beef sandwiches for the departing Elders on Sunday.  We pack a huge lunch for them as Elder Motsisi was having to ride the bus all night from Bloemfontein to Durban.  He has his departing interview with the President and then goes home on Tuesday.  Elder Lowry was leaving with him to go to Bloemfontein for transfers.  We will miss them both.

Sunday morning Wayne spoke in Masianokeng as the district councilman.  We then had to head back into Maseru as he had to set apart the new Seminary and Institute Teachers.  Then we rushed home and put together lunches for the Shumway's, and the two leaving elders.  We were grateful for the day of rest on Sunday so we could catch our breath.

This is a typical scene from our kitchen window.  This little calf nursing from its mother!

We are busy, happy, tired, grateful, thankful, blessed, and loving (almost always) what we are doing.  We feel very anxiously engaged in a good cause.  Miss you all.

Love the Holt's

Week of Miracles

Scene from Phuda on a very cool morning.

In case any of you noticed - we were unable to post our blog last week.  Thursday evening, Oct. 25th, there was a terrible thunder, lightning and rain storm.  The thunder was magnificent! It rolled and rolled and rolled.  However, it caused our internet and phone connection to go out.  As a result we were without any connection until Monday evening.  What a frustration!  We felt absolutely disconnected from the world.  However, as a result we have purchased and learned to use a 3G stick that can connect us to the internet anywhere. 

So, as for the week that we missed - outstanding events were, that we were able to continue teaching Norma Qwezi.  She finally returned from Durban and is anxious to be baptized.  We taught her another discussion and it was so good to see her again and to feel of her happiness to be taught the gospel of Jesus Christ.  She is reading the Book of Mormon and is praying.  On Saturday we went to the Phufamane family home to teach them another temple prep class.  We were to teach this family at 2:00 and we left at noon thinking we would have plenty of time.  However, three hours later we were still trying to get across the border.  The line and wait was horrific.  We had to phone and let them know we would be late due to the border.  We got there just after 3:00 to teach them.  This family (mother, father and two daughters aged 10 and 3) live in one room about 8' by 10'.  There is room for a bed, wardrobe, a counter with a hot plate on it and then another small table that holds a small TV.  There is no sink, bathroom, running water, lights etc. The mom and dad sleep in the bed and then at night there is a rolled up mattress at the end of the bed that is laid on the small remaining floor space for the two girls to sleep on.  They brought in a small bench from outside for us to sit on while we taught the temple preparation class.  It was a very humbling experience to see how this family lives.  Yet, each Sunday they show up at church looking very clean and happy.  When we asked them at the end of the lesson when we could teach another lesson, they asked if we could teach them the next morning at 8 AM before church.  So of course we said yes.  We met them at the church this time and taught them again.   Wayne had to speak in Sacrament meeting right after as the district councilor.  After Sacrament meeting we had to head out to Masianokeng where Wayne had to interview a young woman for baptism.  She will be able to be baptized the following week (which was today).  We then headed back into Maseru to attend a baptism there.  The Maseru elders had 7 convert baptisms.  It was a beautiful baptism and then the newly baptized members bore their testimonies.  A great Sunday!

We headed home and it only took us 2 hours to get through the border that afternoon.  It can be such a frustration.  Once we got home I started baking. I made two double batches of brownies for the zone conference the next day and then I made about 6 dozen muffins - 4 different kinds.  I packed them in packages of 3 for each of the elders to have for breakfast the next morning as we were heading to zone conference. We also gave them bananas and apples.   We left at 5:30 AM and met them on the highway and then drove in tandem to Bloemfontein.  We were spiritually fed by the AP's, Sister Von Stetten and then President Von Stetten.  By the time we got home at 6:00 that evening we were pretty tired, but delighted to realize that we finally had internet connection again.  Our first miracle.

Tuesday morning we headed into Maseru bright and early to meet with President Moroosi regarding a young man that had been disfellowshipped and was hopefully going to be re-instated.  We also met with the new landlord of the Maseru Elders new flat.  We went to check on how close that was to being completed in the hopes that we could move them in this coming week.  Tuesday evening late, I received a call from the Leribe elders saying that when they got home from their DDM that evening their flat was flooded.  They had been gone since Sunday evening (to zone conference) and when they left for the conference they had had no water for 4 days.  I guess they left a tap on full so they would know when the water was turned back on, and then forgot to turn it off before they left on Sunday.  So, when the water came back on it ran full blast for a couple of days and flooded their whole flat.  The neighbor noticed the water running out of the door and turned it off outside at the source, or it would have been an even bigger mess.  We told them to clean it up as best as they could and we would be up in the morning to help them tear out carpets.

We went up early Wednesday morning and set to work pulling up stinky soggy carpets in the two bedrooms.  What a mess.  We also laid out other wet items in the sun to try to get them dried out.  The Elders had had their bakki serviced Tuesday in Maseru (regular check-up) and when they got home they could not get it started again.  So, Wayne took a look at it and realized that it was the starter that needed to be replaced.  So, he had the elders push it and then he popped the clutch and got it going and they drove it to Ficksburg and had a new starter installed.  We then had to drive the elders back to Leribe so they could get back to work.  They were without a vehicle for two days while it was being fixed. 

Elder Tshabane and I scraping and pulling up stinky wet underlay!

I am mending a rip in Elder Tshabane's pants in the living room holding all the furniture after the flood.

We were supposed to teach Norma Qwezi another discussion that afternoon in Ficksburg and so we enjoyed teaching her the discussion on commandments.  She is very accepting about committing to obeying the law of tithing, chastity, etc.  She really wants to be baptized.  We just have to figure out how to get her to church. 

After we finished teaching Norma, we had to head out to Phuda to meet with the Shumway's there.  We had been fasting all day asking for the Lord's guidance in finding a meeting place for the Phuda branch (their lease runs out in a month and the school will not renew it) and also we needed to find a place for the Elders to live.  Enroute to Phuda we received a call from the zone leaders who had been in Phuda doing splits with the Elders there.  Elder Motsisi (one of the zone leaders) had been climbing a metal fence and had cut his arm badly.  The elders had taken him to the emergency room at a hospital there.  They had stitched him up (19 stitches) and then admitted him, saying that he needed surgery to reconnect a tendon.  They would do the surgery the next day.  So, another change in plans, and we went directly to the hospital to see Elder Motsisi. 

These elders had planned to do a service project that morning.  When they got there the service project had fallen through and so they decided to go and play soccer instead.  That was their first poor decision.  While they were playing a couple of them decided they needed to go back to the flat to get proper shoes to play.  When they got there they realized they didn't have the key to get in the locked gate, so Elder Motsisi decided to climb over the fence.  While he was trying to accomplish this he cut his arm to the bone, a gash about 6 - 7 inches long.  These elders were not where they were supposed to be, doing what they were supposed to be doing, when they were supposed to be doing it.  The consequences were costly in many ways.

However, the Lord granted Elder Motsisi a miracle and even though he was badly hurt he will still have use of his arm and hand. 

The next morning we went in to pick Elder Motsisi up thinking the surgery was finished and he would be ready to go home, only to learn that they had cancelled the surgery and they were telling him that he would have to come back on Sunday to have the surgery done Monday.  This was not acceptable on many levels.  After 4 hours of arguing, insisting and refusing to leave until we saw the assigned Dr. - we finally received the necessary papers to transfer him to a hospital in Bethlehem.  We drove to Bethlehem with Elder Motsisi and Elder Steed and got him checked in to the hospital there.  By 5:30 the orthapedic surgeon had seen him and by 7:00 he was in surgery having the tendons attached in three places, the wound thoroughly cleaned out (many paint chips removed) and his arm restitched and put in a cast so healing could take place.  The next morning after meeting with the Dr. we were told that they wanted him to have one more day in the hospital so he could have an antibiotic drip for infection and that he could go home on Saturday.  The Dr. also told us that Elder Motsisi was a very fortune young man as the wound was 1 mm away from cutting all the nerves along the length of the cut.  The Lord truly did bless him.  As frustrating as it was to not have the surgery done on Wednesday or Thursday in Phuda, it was a blessing, as I know that the Dr. in Bethlehem and the care received there was what Elder Motsisi needed to save the arm and the use of his hand.  The Lord does watch over and care for his missionaries.  Another miracle granted!

While we were taking care of Elder Motsisi, Shumway's were working with President Thusi (branch president) and a realtor in Phuda.  We were supposed to be meeting with them as well, but we had to divide to conquer.  How grateful we were that Shumway's were there to fill in for us.  They were able to find a school to rent to use for Sunday meetings and started the process for getting a contract signed.  We looked for a new flat for the elders but were not able to find the right place yet.  We will have to try again.  We stayed the night in Harrismith - about 45 minutes from Phuda in this delightful roundevelle.

This is the Roundevelle with our bakki outside.

This is what the inside of the hut looks like from the bed.

Elder and Sister Holt

Thursday night we stayed in Bethlehem at a B & B awaiting Elder Motsisi's surgery.

Elder Holt outside the B & B in Bethlehem

This bush in bloom at this time of year looks just like a bottle brush.

Friday morning we checked on Elder Motsisi and ran a few errands and then headed back to Ladybrand.  Part way home we got a call that we needed to pick up the Leribe elders bakki and take it into Lesotho to them.  Elder Shumway and Wayne had to attend a disciplinary court on Friday afternoon at 3:00 PM in Masianokeng, so I drove the bakki back with Sister Shumway and the men went on to fill their duties. Once we got home, I got to work organizing all needful things to get ready to teach an enrichment class on Saturday in Maseru.  I decided to feed them physically and spiritually.  I taught them to make rolls and while they were rising I challenged them to become more like the Savior through their study of the scriptures and I also used President Bednar's conference talk about having a testimony is not enough - we need to have a complete conversion. 

This is the outside of our flat.  Our flowers are starting to bloom and look quite pretty.

Sister Shumway helped me get all the "stuff" gathered into my laundry basket.  About 5:00 the Web's called.  The Web's are the area PEF missionaries from Johannesburg.  They were coming to visit the Maseru and Masianokeng branch presidents and PEF students and instructors.  They wanted us to take them in and show them where the buildings were etc. and to introduce them.  Once Wayne got home from Masianokeng we went out for a late supper.  We had an enjoyable time getting to know them.  They don't have much time left on their mission and will be heading home soon. 

Taken this morning on our way to church.  Is this not a beautiful country?

 Saturday morning we met the Webb's and headed into Maseru.  They taught their class, I taught mine and Wayne ran errands.  The Leribe elders registration sticker on their Bakki had expired on October 31st and the new ones had not arrived.  So, of course the Elders got stopped in a check stop and the officer pointed out that their registration had expired.  They were going to give them a ticket.  The Elders phoned and Wayne told them to just take the ticket and we would get the sticker to them as soon as it arrived.  Friday afternoon the sticker was delivered by courier and so Wayne drove it up to Leribe to them Saturday.   We were to teach two temple preparation classes that afternoon and evening.  We taught the first one at 3:00 PM and went to teach the next one at 7:00 only to find that the couple were not home.  I was not too disappointed as I was very tired and ready to get home.

This morning we were up early and on the road to Phuda again to attend their meetings there and then teach the final temple preparation class to a group of 7 branch members.  They will be going to the temple this Saturday to take out their endowments.  The branch president and his wife are two of the candidates that will be going to the temple and then having their family sealed to them.  We really wanted to go with them, but we have to be here to help with the Seminary graduation that will take place.  We promised the Wyatt's that we would help them with that event.

We find that as the time goes on we are busier and busier.  However, we also find that the Lord is granting so many blessings and we are having our prayers answered again and again. We love the people we work with and the branch members that we serve.   We find that as we commit ourselves fully to the Lord's will and serve the members, leaders and those that we are teaching, we are happier and more blessed than we ever believed possible.  How grateful we are to be able to serve a mission!  We love you all and pray for your protection, health and care in our absence.  We appreciate your prayers on our behalf.

Love
Elder & Sister Holt