Before I begin to talk about the "work" I just thought I would tempt you with some of the beauties that living on the coast brings. The ocean is so beautiful and we live quite close (15 minute drive), but can only find time to visit it on a Saturday. By the time we finish work it is dark and too chilly to enjoy the beach. Perhaps when summer comes again the days will be longer and we could go for a walk on the beach after work.
There are boogie boarders and surfers on the beach all the time. People stop by the beach on their way home from work and do a little surfing before they head home. This fellow walks out to the end of the pier and then jumps off the edge into the ocean so that he doesn't have to fight the waves while swimming out to the breakers. On the weekends the beaches are very busy with people coming down to enjoy the sun, sand and ocean. We continue to have beautiful warm days and feel very blessed. However, today, Sunday, was the coolest day we have experienced in Durban. There was a very strong wind and it was very cold. I wished I had brought my shawl to keep me warm in church.
Today Wayne was fulfilling his High Council assignment by speaking in the Phoenix branch. Phoenix is a community within the city of Durban. He gave a great talk on teaching your children correct principals and setting a good example - "Training up a child in the way he should go" - Proverbs 22. I of course had the opportunity to play the piano. This branch is located in a predominantly Indian community and all of the members that were there today were Indian. They were very friendly and welcoming. The Branch President is Teddy's brother. Teddy is the man who repairs all of the mission cars. He and his wife Kathy will be introduced to you later in this blog. Teddy and Kathy have kind of adopted us - he says - we have left our family at home and we have no family here and so they will be our family.
Last Saturday Teddy and Kathy threw this great huge party - a party of "Thanks giving". The Zwiffels, a missionary couple who served in the office just before we came last June, returned last week with three of their grandchildren to visit Teddy and Kathy and to take their grandchildren to visit South Africa. We thought this party was a welcome back party for the Zwiffels. Teddy had me issue invitations to the Stake Presidency and their wives, the other office couples, and a bunch of other people. When we arrived at the address of the party this is what we saw.
We were taken to this table that was set especially for the "Americans" etc. We sat with the Starks (the other office couple) and the Von Stettens. The lady on my right is Premmie. Premmie lives two floors above us in our apartment complex. She would like to join the church but feels she cannot because of the problems it would cause in her family. They served Indian food, but food for our table was specially prepared so it was not too hot and spicy.
This is Teddy and Kathy. This is the first time we had ever seen Teddy in anything other than sloppy shorts and a dirty t-shirt (except when we go our for dinner, where he wears shorts and a clean t-shirt). All of the Indian people came dressed in their beautiful Saari's and beautiful traditional clothes. They were very beautiful (albeit not very modest). They had live music playing and it was very festive. The Zwiffel's were there with their grandchildren and they did honor their presence throughout the evening, but really it was mostly like a church service. Three different pastors spoke, many prayers were said and sung and Teddy and Kathy expressed thanks for the blessings the Lord had blessed them with. It was a very interesting time. I quite enjoyed watching what was going on, but some of the other LDS people were offended by all the preaching. I just thought I probably wouldn't have to go to church the next day because we had already had it on Saturday. (We still went)
These two beautiful women are Teddy and Kathy's daughters. Kerusha is the one on the left and the other daughter (I can't remember her name) is married and has two children - a daughter and a son. I don't know where the husband is, we don't ever hear about him. Kerusha is the bookkeeper for Teddy's business, so Wayne works with her on a regular basis. The older daughter works in a bank and is quite successful. Teddy also has a younger son - Jordan - who also works in the business. We see him quite often as he comes to the office to pick up a car that needs to be taken in for repairs. Jordan is about 17 years old, a very handsome, polite young man.
This is Teddy and Kathy and on either side of them is their Mothers. Teddy's mother had 10 children. Kathy also comes from a fairly large family and many of Teddy and Kathy's siblings and their children were there that evening. Every one of them were very friendly and welcoming and came up and said hello as the evening went on.
This is Teddy's younger brother. He is the branch president of the Pheonix branch. He is the only member of his family to join the church. His son on the far right has just returned from a mission to Cape Town. They also have one other son who was not there that night. He is a great Branch President and we enjoyed attending their Branch today. They all wanted to know when we would come back to see them again. We are hoping that eventually Teddy and Kathy's hearts will soften and they will follow President Pallay's example and will also join the church.
We have had a very busy week as we prepare for transfers on Monday and Tuesday of this week. We also had to do 7 flat checks this week. That was an interesting experience as it is the first time I have experienced missionary flats here in this area. There were some that were pretty good and there were some that were left "wanting". Some I went and bought some cleaning supplies for immediately and told them I was expecting improvements on the next inspection and there were some that I worked with right then to show what I expected. At least all of them had made some attempt at "cleaning", its just that some need some "schooling".
Also, we experienced a little sadness, as one of the elders had to be sent home early. Unfortunately he just could not be obedient to the mission rules and was unable to get along with any of his companions. President had worked and worked with him, but finally had to send him home, with the promise that if he could get his mind and life in order he could come back in 6 to 8 months. We hope he is able to return to complete his mission. I had to make quick flight plans for him to return home the next day and then we all waited that evening for him to come in so that we could wish him well and send him on his way to the airport.
We have six elders coming in tomorrow for their final interviews with the President and then their farewell dinner at the President's home, with a testimony meeting following. We, (Stark's and us) get to attend as well. Then while the missionaries take pictures with the President and his wife, we do the dishes and clean up in preparation for the testimony meeting. This is always a very special evening. So far we have only attended one - but it was wonderful. This is however, the President's final transfer and final farewell. The next transfer will be with President and Sister Zackrison. We had one elder leave on Thursday (his visa expired a few days early) and the other six will leave on Tuesday. As these six are dropped off, we will welcome 7 new elders in. The President and the AP's will bring them back from the airport. Then we will give them an orientation and then some will leave immediately after for their new areas with their new companions. Others will stay overnight at the mission home and will head out the next day to their areas of service. It becomes wild and crazy with all the coming and goings of the Elders coming to pick up their companions and lots of questions and confusion. This transfer there are only 7 coming in, but in the next transfer there is 13 and the following transfer there is 15.
Rod, I thought I would just put this picture in for your benefit. There is great fishing here on the coast - you don't even have to go out on a boat, but of course you can. Wish you could come back and this time get a chance to throw in a line or two. We miss you all so much and hope that your summer is getting nice and warm and that those of you who are out of school are enjoying your holiday time.
Enos family - we hope you have a great experience on Trek and hope everyone comes back not too badly sunburned and blister weary. We love to hear from you whenever you get a chance. Just so you know - we are praying for each of you everyday and appreciate your prayers on our behalf. The Elders are keeping dad very busy - they seem to find a way to scrape a car, have someone back into them or lose keys, have batterys go "flat", or some other disaster that sends him running to the rescue. I think he will be able to write a book when he gets home. Well, I must close as I have cookies to make before I go to bed tonight. Elder Puso, an Elder going home this week, asked if he would be able to "taste my good cookies one more time before he goes home", so I promised him he could. Have a safe and happy week.
Love to you all
Dad and Mom
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