Red Letter Day!

Dear Family and Friends

Another week has come and gone.  I cannot believe how fast the time is going.  It seems like I just finish the blog and Wayne is saying "Are you going to do the blog tonight?"

One of the best things that happened this week is that we finally have a telephone land line that works.  Ever since we moved into this flat the land line had so much static on it that we could not hear when we used it.  Then, it would not work at all. We had been having trouble with our internet going down quite frequently and so we finally called the Telkom people and had them send out a repairman to take a look at it.  About an hour and a half later - walla - we had a telephone that works perfectly and our internet working again.  We are so easily thrilled these days!

As soon as the repairman left we headed to Bethlehem to get Elder Munson out of the hospital and home with his foot up.  He is to have bed rest at home for the next three or four days.  Hopefully he can get this infection cleared up. 

Once we got home that evening we went to work getting the lunch ready for the ZTM the next day in Leribe.  We made chicken pasta salad with rolls and fresh fruit.  The elders loved it and ate everything we brought.  No left overs.  Our zone leaders did a great job of conducting the meeting and they inspired and motivated the elders in this district to good works.  While we were in the meeting my cell phone rang.  It was President Von Stetten and he asked me to issue an invitation to all the Elders in Lesotho to attend a meeting on January 17th in the Maseru chapel with Elder Cook and his wife, and two other area representatives from Johannesburg.  These elders are so lucky to be able to have this special opportunity to meet with Elder Cook for an hour and be taught by him.  We will also have the opportunity to attend. 

Once we left Leribe we hurried to Maseru to meet with the owner of the flat we had looked at in Masianokeng to take her the church's lease agreement.  She said she would have her lawyer look it over and meet us on Thursday.  We are so relieved to have found an available flat for the Elders in Masianokeng.  It is almost impossible to find something suitable in a safe area at a price we can afford.  The Lord is truly blessing us and them.

 We are so excited about the kids coming next month.  We have been busy planning things to see and do.  I have been making reservations, bookings etc.  I thought the girls might like to get their hair done while they are here and so I have booked you appoints at our local salon here.  They will do just about anything you want.  Hope that is okay with you Michelle and Brittany!

 Wednesday morning we were up and away early in the morning to head yet again back to Bethlehem to the ZTM meeting there.  This is the group of Elders from Phuda and Bethlehem plus the zone leaders.  We took lunch for them as well.  The menu was the same as yesterdays lunch and again the elders licked the platters clean.  It was good that Elder Munson was feeling well enough to be able to attend the meeting.  He had to head back home afterward for more rest.  Two young men from the branch came to do splits with the Elders so Elder Kondowe could get out to do the work.

FR L-R Elder Mudzurawona, Khutledi,Adams, Steed, Kondowe
BR - L-R Elder Caldwell, Munson, Summers

Thursday morning we headed into Maseru early to do price checks for stoves, washers, couch, chair, house supplies etc. for the new flat in Masianokeng.  We met with Matladi, (owner) and got the lease signed and ready to send to the President for approval.  We also picked up the water bill in Maseru for the mission office to get paid. 

That night we went home teach at Sister Ellen Chadribo's.  Her husband has been in Uganda since September and she gets pretty lonely.  We decided to take her to supper at Living Life once we finished giving her the lesson.  We had a delightful evening with her and she really enjoyed having some company.  Once I got home I had to make a pie crust so that I could make a peach pie to take to the Shumway's on Friday.

We headed to Bloemfontein on Friday afternoon as Wayne had district meetings on Saturday.  We had been invited to the Wyatt's for supper Friday night.  We had a great visit with the Shumway's and Wyatt's and a delicious supper.

 On the highway to Bloemfontein there is a lot of road construction.  Consequently there are areas of one way traffic.  While they have the traffic stopped these ladies run up and down the highway selling their peaches, plums and treats to the stopped cars.  It is pretty amazing that they can balance these loads on their heads and never drop anything.  Once we got to Bloemfontein we went to the Makro store - South Africa's version of Costco.  We stocked up on some much needed supplies so we can feed the Elder's some more.

 Saturday morning we were up early and headed out for a walk at 6:30 with the Shumway's.  This is what we saw as we walked out of their front door.  Occasionally they will have zebras grazing in this field as well. 

Rod, I am sure this makes your trigger finger real itchy, but you can't shoot these fellows - they are protected on this preserve.  They are certainly beautiful to look at.








We enjoyed a beautiful walk and then headed home for breakfast and to get cleaned up to head off to the outdoor market.  We had a great time going from booth to booth, buying a few fun things to bring home.  We then headed over to the church to help Wyatt's set out refreshments for their opening social for the Seminary and Institute students.  Wayne and Elder Shumway then had to go into meetings and Sister Shumway and I headed to the mall to do a little shopping.  Sister Shumway is a delightful friend here in South Africa and we have a great time together.  We enjoy one anothers company, and both love books, sewing, etc. 

It was soon time to meet up with Wayne again and head back home to our little flat in Ladybrand.  Home always looks good and our own bed feels better.  

 We feel extremely blessed these last few weeks as we have been trying to find housing for the Elders.  We even have a lead on a flat in Phuda.  We will go up Friday to meet with the owner and try to get a deal made with him so that we can move our Elders in there.  We have to get them out of the terrible boarding they are currently in.  We have been fasting and praying for a number of months now to solve this situation and it looks like the Lord is now going to grant us this blessing.  We know if it isn't this house it will be another because the Lord is mindful of our need. 

We love you, we love our mission and we love serving the Lord.  We are very much looking forward to February 10th and 11th when our children will arrive for a visit.  We cannot wait to show you this beautiful country.

Love
Wayne & Barb