The children have gone back home and we have been drawn back into the normal routine with a vengeance. There was much to be taken care of and it felt good to be back in the saddle again! Sunday morning we went to the Masianokeng Sacrament meeting. When we got there the Elder's were outside watching and hopefully waiting for their investigators to arrive. Elder Smith had this huge grin pasted on his face. He just kept saying - this is better than Christmas! That day there were 4 father-led family investigator families there, plus other investigators - a total of 30 investigators attended the branch that day.
We had phoned President Moorosi that week to tell him that Elder and Sister Wyatt would be attending their branch on March 17th and would be willing to speak about Seminary and Institute. Unfortunately, he did not hear the March part and thought they would be there that Sunday. So, when he saw us, he asked if the Wyatt's were there. Of course we said no - they were coming on March 17th. He got this funny look on his face and then said "Sister Holt - would you and Elder Holt be willing to speak in Sacrament meeting today?" Of course we said we would. Then Elder Davenport came up and said "Sister Holt - I can't play the songs they have chosen to sing this morning - would you be willing to play for Sacrament meeting?" Of course I said! Then, we went to Sunday School class - the investigator class was too full so we went to the gospel doctrine class - no teacher. "Elder Holt - would you be willing to teach the lesson?" Of course he would!
Priesthood and Relief Society were combined that day and they showed the video of the church coming to Ghana. What an amazingly powerful story. You can get a copy of that at the distribution centre. Watch if if you have the opportunity.
Monday we spent the morning trying to find a roll of heavy plastic that we could wrap 3 Elder's beds in to try to get rid of the bed bug problem that they have. We went from hardware store to hardware store to try to find someone that sold the plastic. No one had any. About two hours later - we finally found not a roll of plastic, but some heavy plastic that would work. We then wrapped the beds and sealed it with duct tape to keep the bedbugs from getting out and thus they will die with no food source. Who thought such an easy task would turn out to be such a chore. We then hurried home to get two roasts cooked for ZTM's on Tuesday and Wednesday. We travelled to Bethlehem on Tuesday AM for their meeting. Had two elders with birthdays that week so had to bake two cakes. Served beef on a bun, chips, fruit salad, pickles, carrot sticks and soda. They ate it all!
After ZTM we went with the Anderson's (sr. couple transferring from Johannesburg to Bethlehem) to look at a flat for them to move into. Looks very promising and we hope to get it leased before the end of the month.
Wednesday we did the lunch for the Lesotho elders all over again. Celebrated one elders birthday with another birthday cake for desert.
Thursday we spent the day doing month end and getting that all sent into the office. I also cleaned and did laundry as we are having President Von Stetton for supper on Friday.
Thanks to Brittany bringing us some german chocolate cake mixes, we made a delicious cake for desert and a mashed potatoed, gravy, rolls, roast beef dinner for the President. He was well fed and satisfied!
Saturday morning we were up and off early, heading into Maseru as I had to teach a RS activity. I taught 20 sisters how to make orange rolls and cinnamon buns. They ate it all and then we had watermelon besides. The sisters had a wonderful time visiting, learning and just being together. We also had a lesson on visiting teaching.
As soon as I finished that class I taught a piano lesson to Theresa from Masianokeng. She is a willing student and wants to learn how to play very badly. I just hope Sister Olson can continue to teach her when we have moved to Durban. While I was teaching these classes Wayne fixed elders bikes and then cleaned the church in preparation for Sunday.
Sunday we headed off to Leribe for church there. This sweet family walks a mile on a dirt trail to the highway and then takes a 20 minute ride in a taxi into Leribe for church every Sunday. Their name is Bro. & Sis. Makura. They have taken the temple prep. class but were unable to make it due to no passport. Sister Shumway had made this box of "goodies" for this sweet family and asked us to deliver it to them. So Sunday we drove them home and gave them their box. It is filled with books for the children, fabric, etc. They were so thrilled. In the background you can see the sheets on the ground. They have peach trees all around their property. They pick the peaches and slice them and then dry them in the sun. Their 11 year old daughter told me they do that so that in the winter when they want a taste of peaches instead of oranges they can just take out their dried peaches and remember the summer.
Peaches grow prolifically here. If you drop a peach stone a tree will just grow. The mother went out and picked us a bag of peaches to take home and then she went in the house and put some dried peaches in a bag for us to take home as well. They are such a sweet family and so committed to the gospel.
This is the view from their home. They live in very humble circumstances but they are very happy. This is their corn field. They gave us some ears of corn to take home for lunch. They let their corn age before they eat it and even though he said it was young corn, it was probably a month older than we eat it in North America. They were so kind and generous to us.
Monday morning we were up and loaded with the fixings for a brai at the church for the Lesotho zone district's activity. All 16 Elders came to the church for lunch and then we went to an orphanage in Maseru for their activity. We served them hamburgers, hot dogs and salad, chips, etc. with brownies and cookies for desert.
Here is our brai master. He did a great job of barbecuing the meat and the elders loved it. Kalani - a word to the wise - always express your appreciation to the Sr. couples when they do kind things for you. They will be so much more willing to do it again if you do. Our Elders were very appreciative that day and we even received SMS's from them that night saying thanks again!
Elder Sekireme getting to know one of the little orphan girls.
Elder Summer's playing with the children on their play equipment.
Elder Sele was like the pied piper. He had a crowd of children around him the whole time. It was amazing to watch him interact with the children. Of course he can speak their language and so that was helpful. But the children loved him.
This little boy has been at the orphanage since just after he was born. His whole right side was damaged when he was born and so he is quite crippled. We gave all the children suckers and he brought me his sucker and wanted me to help him unwrap his. He loved that sucker!
We had the children sing songs for us and then we sang songs for them. The Elders had fun teaching the children to do the actions and join in with us.
We brought three watermelons to share with the children. It was a very welcome cool, wet treat after spending the afternoon in the hot sun. They loved the water melon and the suckers. They were so happy to have the Elder's come and play games and soccer with them and just spend time showing love and care. All in all it was a great day.
We are relishing every activity and experience we are having as we realize that the time is fast approaching that we will be having a very different kind of experience in Durban. I am sure that it will be wonderful too, but just different. The days are going so fast and the weeks are flying by.
We loved face timing with Lincoln and Jackson on their 6th birthday and they looked very happy to have received new bikes from their Mom and Dad for their birthday. We miss you all and are very grateful for your prayers and phone calls. Know that we love you and miss you too.
Love
Mom and Dad aka
Elder & Sister Holt
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