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

Spiritual Feast

We spent our P-day last Monday doing the usual cleaning-laundry-baking.  I received a phone call Sunday night from a Sister that lives in Ladybrand, but she attends church in Leribe (its a long story).  Her husband has been in Uganda for the last two months and she was not feeling well (flu bug) and she informed me that we were her home teachers and that we needed to come and see her.  So, I told her I would bring supper to her Monday evening, that I would bring her a Canadian remedy for colds and flu - "Homemade chicken soup".  So, I spent the afternoon making Jody's rendition of chicken soup.  It was very delicious if I do say so myself, and especially good with homemade rolls and homemade cookies for desert.  I didn't let Wayne go, because I didn't want him getting the flu, so I just took it over to her and visited with her for a while.  She was very grateful and we had to have a cup of herbal tea while we visited.  Mostly, I think she was feeling very lonely. 

Tuesday morning we had to divide to conquer.  Wayne had to drive into Maseru to meet with the builder of the new flats for the elders to check to see how close we are to being able to move the Elders in.  Unfortunately, there is probably at least two more weeks of work to be done (if we are lucky).  While he was doing that I had to take Elder Motisitisi to the dentist to have a wisdom tooth pulled.  He and his companion came into Ladybrand for this procedure and then I drove back to Maseru with them to attend their DTM.  We then fed them lunch at the church.  Meanwhile, earlier that morning, the Maseru Elders had broken the key off in the door lock.  Because of an earlier mishap with the front door, they were locked in their flat.  So, they started trying to take the lock apart to try to get out.  In doing so, they broke a hole in the door.  So, now they had no lock and a hole.  Then they called us and said what do we do?  We went out there and got the broken door lock and took it to a hardware store to try to get one the same size to replace it.  When we got back to the flat it would not fit.  So, we worked and worked and chipped away until we finally got it in.  But, we still had a hole in the door. 

The next morning we went back with glue, wood filler etc. and went to work trying to repair the mess that had been made.  "Mush for brains!"  I gotta tell you - somedays.  We finally got it looking pretty good.  I will be so glad to get these Elders out of this boarding.

Thanks to Inge we got a copy of the label that we put in the books we donated to the Stirling School library and I found some label paper here that we could print them off on and then I spent Thursday afternoon putting the labels in the 98 books we have to donate to the non-school in TY.  We are very excited to deliver them in the near future.  We are going to get some school supplies to go with it and I think they will be quite happy with the donation.

Thanks Inge, for supplying the labels.

Thanks to all who donated the money for these delightful children's books. 

Friday morning Wayne woke up feeling just terrible.  He tried to go out to exercise, but came back after a few minutes.  He hurt all over.  Even though he did not go to Sister Cadribo's he had somehow managed to get a little flu bug.  Luckily it only lasted 24 hours and by the next morning he was feeling much better.  So, we spent the day in the flat.  We downloaded one talk at a time on the computer and enjoyed conference. 

Then on Saturday we headed into Maseru to listen to conference in the Maseru branch.  It was fabulous.  We felt very spiritually fed.  After the 2nd session of conference we taught a temple preparation class to a couple who have been married for 11 years.  They have two daughters, a 10 year old and a three year old. 

During the Priesthood meeting, I waited in the Bakki and Sister Ikaneng Kato came and sat with me.  We had a fabulous visit.  She is a widow that has lived in Ficksburg but is currently preparing to put her papers in to serve a mission.  She has two daughters still in high school.  However, when her husband died, as is the tradition, her children go and live with her husbands family.  So, both her daughters are living in Uganda with an uncle.  Ikaneng herself, was raised not by her mother, but by her maternal grandparents.  I feel sorry for her, as she feels very lonely without her daughters or anyone else very close to her.  Currently she is living with her mother in Maseru, until she leaves for her mission, but she has never before lived with her mother and as her mother is not a member of the church, they really have nothing in common. 

A month ago, she had written a little article that she wanted to submit to the Liahona.  She asked if I would edit it and help her with it a little, which I did.  She submitted it and she heard back from the Liahona that they wanted a picture of her with her stove (thats what the article was about) and she asked if I would take a picture of her and send it off to the Liahona.

Ikaneng Kato illustrating her kitchen stove for the Liahona article she has submitted.

Sunday morning started with a bit of a jolt.  As we were heading back into Maseru to watch conference, we tried to cross the border leaving South Africa.  As we tried to go into the building to get our passports stamped, the doors were blocked off.  I looked in the window to see if there was anyone in the wickets to stamp our passports.  All I could see was a body prostrate on the floor, covered with a Lesotho blanket and the face was covered with a hoodie.  Then I noticed the police tape blocking the doorway.  Then it dawned on me that the person on the floor was deceased!  The police then directed us to the entrance side of the South African border to get our passports stamped.  That was a very unsettling start to our day.

Gratefully, the Sunday sessions of Conference were a balm to our souls and we thoroughly enjoyed every talk and the music from the sessions.  We felt very grateful to have been able to take it all in and felt that our buckets were filled to overflowing.  We feel very ready to tackle a new week!

After conference Wayne taught the PEF class as the regular teacher could not be there.  I took muffins and apples for them to snack on.  Somehow, the teacher thinks it is our responsibility to provide a treat for every class.  Gratefully there is only one class left.

A sure sign that spring is official.  This is the spring planting taking place in South Africa.

We feel so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We feel very thankful to be able to serve a mission here and are grateful to all who are taking care of all our responsibilites at home so that we can do this.  With the announcement of President Monson regarding the change in missionary age, we hope that you are getting yourself prepared to enter the mission field in a little over 18 months Kalani.  I know you can iron a shirt very well, and I know that you have been faithfully attending Seminary.  I hope you get your Mom to prepare you in the kitchen with more than just Ichiban soup.  You need to arm yourself with a few basic recipes to keep a little meat on your skinny bones.  If you end up in a place like we are, the members will not be feeding you.  You will have to feed yourself.  We hope you are studying and preparing yourself to teach the gospel with "Preach My Gospel".  We love you all and are so grateful for the phone calls, e-mails, pictures, etc.  They are absolutely essential for missionaries!! Well, till next week......
Holt's

In memory of Shauna

It has been two years ago today that Shauna moved on to the next step in her progression.  How grateful we are that she was willing and ready to accept her Heavenly Father's will and leave this earthly life.  I know that she has been busy doing bigger and greater things, serving, loving and sharing her beautiful smile.

Shauna did love fine things, fine food, fine cheese, fine cooking utensils, you name it - we have all been the beneficiary of some of her great adventures experimenting with finding all of the above.

All our grandchildren have benefited from Auntie Shauna's love of books.  Are you all remembering to read 20 minutes a day?

This week, in Shauna's memory, I found some childrens books that I have purchased to donate to the non-school in Lesotho.  Thanks to a generous donation from Ed, LeAnne and family and Marlene, I had a nice sum of money that I could purchase approximately 90 books.  These are books for readers  grades 1 - 3, in English.  The school requested books in English so the children could practice learning to read and speak English.

Monday morning I was hoping for a P-day to get some things done at home, but alas an early morning phone call sent us hurrying to Bethlehem to take the Elders brand new car into the panel beaters (body shop) to get quotes on some repairs.  Unfortunately the Elders were in an accident on the way home from church on Sunday.  Fortunately no one was hurt.  Unfortunately the elders will now be walking for the next two months until the car can be repaired.  Also unfortunate that it will be the hottest two months of the year.  Needless to say the mission President was not impressed.  Fortunately it was not the Elders fault.

Tuesday morning I was able to spend some time baking, cleaning and doing laundry.  The zone leaders came through on their way to New Castle to zone meetings with the President and so we got a sizeable lunch packed for them and after checking out the ding in their door from their accident on Saturday (gratefully not serious) we sent them on their way.

Wednesday morning we had to head up to Leribe to take money to the Leribe elders to get their fridge fixed.  It had quit the day before and had to be taken in for repairs.  They of course did not have money to fix it, so the "bank of Wayne" went on the road.  We also found out the the Elders allotment for phone, power etc. was supposed to have come through the week before, but for some reason none of the Lesotho elders had received their allotments.  No one had minutes left on their phone, or power left in their flats.  So, Wayne loaded up his pockets and we spent the day running from Elders to Elders distributing an advance so they could purchase phone time and buy more electricity for their flats.  Once I got home, I had to start baking rolls and preparing lunch for the ZTM meeting in Bethlehem the next day. 

While in Bethlehem I found a wonderful source for books in English.  I was so excited.  I also got a lead on three stores in Bloemfontein where I could purchase more books.  Luckily we were headed to Bloemfontein on Friday as Wayne had district meetings there on Saturday.

While Wayne went to his meetings on Saturday Sister Shumway and I went shopping to find more books.  It was my first time driving in Bloemfontein!  Pretty scarry.  But with Sister Shumway navigating and giving directions I did just fine.  We got home safe and sound after accomplishing our task.
Here are just a few of the approximately 90 books I have purchased.

It was so fun to pick these out - I could just feel Shauna saying "yes, this book".

Or she would say "put that one back."

Or "that is a great choice." Thanks Marlene, Ed, LeAnne & family!

Wayne thoroughly enjoyed his district meetings on Saturday.  Only three of the district council were there and only some of the Branch Presidents.  It is such a hardship for them to get there as the distances are so great.  But just to show you how dedicated some of them are I will tell you about the Branch President from Phuda.  He had to take a taxi from Phuda to Ficksburg - a two hour drive - where he then caught a ride with Brother Terry Johns.  Terry Johns then drove himself and President Thusi to Bloemfontein for the meetings.  By the time they got back to Ficksburg on Saturday evening (3 hour drive) it was too late to catch a taxi back to Phuda.  The people at the Taxi stand told them the Taxi's would start running at 5:00 AM on Sunday morning.  So, Brother Terry John's took President Thusi back to the taxi stand by 5 AM to catch the taxi - but alas, no taxi's.  Brother John's then drove President Thusi all the way back to Phuda because President Thusi had to be to church by 9:00 AM to conduct Sacrament meetings.  Brother Johns then drove back to Bethlehem for 9:00 AM church there.  The saints are very willing to sacrifice to get the work done here.  These are great men.

We enjoyed our time in Bloemfontein with the Shumways.  Wyatt's came over for dinner Friday night and we had a great visit.  This is one of the great blessings of a mission - you have the opportunity to meet and work with other great missionaries.

Shumways live in a great area on the outskirts of Bloemfontein.  It is a housing development surrounded by a game preserve.  They have quite a bit of wildlife, including giraffes.  We got up early to try to see them as they come to the watering hole for a drink.  However, we were too late.  But we did see these beauties.  Rod - I bet this makes you want to get here with your gun.  Right?

these ones come with the target painted on the backside.

See Rod - hes just waiting for you!

This one might be a little harder to hit - no target.  But a great rack.

We got home late Saturday evening and were up and on the road by 7 AM on Sunday morning for church in Bethlehem.  This was only our 2nd time to attend church there.  They have a great Branch President, but their branch struggles.  They have a lot of members on their records, but many inactives.  They have a nice building in Bethlehem.  I hope we can help strengthen their branch.

We are looking forward to Conference this weekend.  Remember we have to wait for two weeks to get conference here in South Africa.  We get it sent on discs and then watch it later - due to time differences.  Well, it is late and morning comes early.  We love you all and are proud of each of you.  We were glad to be able to wish Spencer "happy birthday" this morning - your Sunday evening.  Keep the calls, facetime, e-mails coming - we need to hear from you.

Love
Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Elder and Sister Holt

A prophets quote:

I would like to start this weeks blog with a quote from President Monson:  "My young friends, be strong...... You know what is right and what is wrong, and no disguise, however appealing, can change that (truth).  If your so-called friends urge you to do anything you know to be wrong, you be the one to make a stand for right, even if you stand alone.  Everyone needs good friends.  Your circle of friends will greatly influence your thinking and behavior, just as you will theirs.  When you share common values with your friends, you can strengthen and encourage each other.  Treat everyone with kindness and dignity."

I know that my grandchildren and children are good examples of this admonition from a prophet of the Lord.  Thank you for being the amazing people that you are.  We were so sorry to hear that one of Mealii and Keola's friends from school passed away very unexpectedly this last week.  This friend was someone who was not considered to be "cool" or part of the "group".  Mealii and Keola often stood "alone" to be a friend with her.  We are so very proud of you and of the young women you are becoming.  We love you all.  We know that the Holy Ghost will be a "comforter" to you as you adjust to the loss of Megan.  You can feel at peace knowing that you were her friend and were kind to her even when others were not.  You set a great example to others around you.

Since it is "Thanksgiving day" we want to "thank" Rod and Inge for taking time on Saturday to go to our house and spend time figuring out what was wrong with our garbage disposal.  Thanks "no crack plumbing" for figuring out the problem, fixing it and then putting it all back together.  Two great minds do great work together.

Also, we want to thank the Spencer Holt family for inviting us to the piano recital yesterday afternoon.  We were entertained with some amazing musical numbers by Ty and Anne.  The program concluded  with a musical number by Brittany, with some amazing dance moves by Ike, Josh, Anne & Ty. Keep up the hard work with the piano you kids.  We love getting the videos of your musical renditions.  Congrats to you Ike on your great basketball weekend.  We were glad to hear that you played well on Saturday.

We know that Le'olani went to Vail on the weekend for a soccer tournament.  We would love to hear how that went for you.  Please let us know.

Thank you too Jenn for facetiming us yesterday afternoon.  We loved seeing all the Rod & Jenn Holt kids for a few minutes.  We also enjoyed hearing about what is going on in your lives.  Hope you arrived back home safely at the close of the long weekend.

Inge - we are very "thankful" to you for all the errands, banking, mail sorting, bill paying etc. etc. that you do for us in our absence.  We also love to hear from you and catch up on what is going on at home.  We are very proud of your continued efforts on your Master's Program.  We know it is a hard thing to do - even if that was all you were working on in your life - but to work full time as well, while being a vice-principal too, - we think your pretty amazing.  Do not get discouraged.  We know you can do it - especially when you call on extra help from above.  You are practically finished - I know that is hard to believe - but it is true.  Hang in there.

Now, onto our week.  Monday was the day we had to do all the reports to send into the office.  I spent all day working on the financial reports, car reports, flat reports etc. etc.  I am always relieved when that is done for another four weeks.  Also it was the day we clean house and do laundry.  That always makes me happy!

Tuesday was mission transfers.  We lost four of our Elders, and we gained 4 new elders.  We have been trying to get to meet the new ones this week.  We had to drive to Bloemfontein on Tuesday to meet Elder Steed (from St. George, Utah). Elder Steed is going to be the new Zone leader in Maseru.  He is a fine young man and will do a great job. We left as soon as we had gone into Maseru to meet with the landlord of the Leribe church to get him to sign the new rental agreement for another year.    We had been invited to go to the Wyatt's for some lunch and a meeting regarding PEF before we picked him up.  The Shumway's came too of course and we had a great visit together.  We picked Elder Steed up about 4:30 and then headed out to the Bloemfontein airport to meet with the elder who was bringing Elder Steed's passport (from Durban) so we could get him into Lesotho that night.  By the time we got through the border into Maseru and then to the Elders flat it was about 8:00.  They had no water at their flat.  We told them we would bring them in some water in the morning and left to head back through the border again.  We were pretty tired by the time we got home that night needless to say. 

Wednesday we were up and on the road early with a Bakkie full of bottled water to get to the Elders in Maseru.  Before we left that morning we got an SMS from the Masianokeng elders (who had had no water or power on and off all last week) asking if they could eat meat that had been thawed for a long time.  I told them if they didn't want to be sick they had better throw out the meat that had thawed in their freezer with no electricity.  So, we took some meat out of our freezer to take to them so they could have something for supper that night (until they could get to the grocery store to get more groceries).  On the way in to Maseru, Wayne was trying to figure out why the Elders in Maseru had no water.  He had me SMS them and ask if the switch had been turned off outside, to go check it.  They called back a few minutes later and said that it had been turned off somehow and they now had water again.  Mush for brains!  After meeting missionary needs, we headed up to northern Lesotho to run an errand for another missionary couple and then back home late Wednesday afternoon.  We spent the rest of the day getting ready for the Father & Son's outing on Friday and Saturday.

Thursday morning we got a call from the Elders in Leribe that their phone was not working - it wouldn't hold a charge.  So - while I went to get a hair cut Wayne went to Leribe to take them a new cell phone.  On the way out of Leribe he ran into a terrible mess at the border.  They were checking everyones cars and passports very thoroughly and it took him an hour and a half to get through the border.  Once he got home, we left to go to a town called Zastron where the district Father's and Son's outing was held.  Each of the mission couples (just the men) had been asked to provide an activity for the Saturday part of the program.  We women went along for the ride, but did not participate in the activities.  We stayed in a very quaint B & B.  It was filled with antiques and was most enjoyable.  It was nice to have a little down time and also to have some enjoyable company to enjoy it with.  While we were there the Wyatt's got news that they had just had a brand new grandson born on Friday evening.  We did a little sight seeing around Zastron on Friday until it was time for the men to head over to the campout. 

The Vulture Lodge - the B & B we stayed at Thursday and Friday night.  A very charming old house in South Africa.  It has maintained its charm and is filled with antique furniture and fixings.  We loved it.

This beautiful bird was on the grounds of the B & B we were staying and welcomed the day with a beautiful song.

 We headed out to see some sights in this area of South Africa we had never been before.  Look at the beautiful plants that are blooming in South Africa.

Those mountains in the background are in the southern part of Lesotho.  We did not cross into the Kingdom of Lesotho but stayed on the South African side of the border.

Saturday morning breakfast was to be served at 7:00 AM.  We did not get out quite early enough for them and so these people started singing to let us know that breakfast was served.  Then when we told them that Wyatt's had a brand new grandson born the night before, they sang a song that welcomed him into the world.  When we get home we will play the video for you and you can hear them singing.  Sister Wyatt is in the gold jacket in the centre. 

Elder Shumway in the background, myself and the proprietor of the B & B - Tania.  Tania doesn't live at the B & B but lives about 10 km from it on a farm.  She also runs a business in the town of Zastron.  She told us she carries a pistol in her left front pocket at all times and is not afraid to use it.  Tania said SA is quite lawless and she said she and her husband often have to deal with issues because the police don't.

About 103 fathers and sons came to Zastron for the campout.  This is the lodge they ate their supper in. 

Saturday morning after breakfast they had organized games and activites.  This was spider web and they had to pass people through the holes in the web without touching the ropes.  They could only use the same opening once.  It taught them to work together and to plan ahead.

This was the human battleship game.  Elder Wyatt is the name in the middle helping the youth participate in this activity.

One of the fathers and sons attending the event.  Aren't they a handsome little family?

 Once the Father and sons campout was over we headed back home. On the way home we heard that the Maseru Zone leaders had had an accident in their Bakkie.  They hit a car in the parking lot at the mall.  Gratefully no one was hurt.   Home looked pretty good and we spent the evening getting ready for the Sabbath.  We really missed conference - just knowing that it was going on and knowing that we would not be able to enjoy it until two weeks later was a little hard.  I guess we still get to anticipate it and look forward to it for a while longer.  We did hear from family back home that President Monson announced Saturday morning that Elders can go on missions at age 18, once they have graduated from High School and young women can go once they turn 19.  That was very exciting news.  That means Kalani, that you could be in the mission home about 6 months after we get home from our mission.  Pretty exciting huh?  We better be spending some quality time with you before you get gone - right?

We were up and on the road by 6:45 on Sunday morning.  We had to pick up President Monesa and his counselor and take them up to Leribe on Sunday for church.  The branch president attends the Leribe group meetings one Sunday a month and this was the Sunday.  They didn't have transportation up there that day so they asked if we would drive them up.  We were happy to do so, and then we waited for about 2 1/2 hours after the block for him to finish all his interviews and then we got to drive them back to Maseru and then finally head back through the border to get home by about 5:30 that night.  On the way home we heard from the Bethlehem Elders that they had been hit by another car on their way home from church.  They had just received a brand new car the week before and the accident took off the back bumper and the back right lights.  Fortunately, once again no one was hurt or injured.  I would hate to be the Elder in the office in charge of vehicles.

This is the son and daughter of Brother Ramalitse.  Brother Ramalitse is teaching the PEF class in Leribe.  This young man is 14 years old and can hardly wait to go on a mission.  He was so thrilled when he learned that he can go when he is 18 years old.  He told me last week that he couldn't wait for the next 5 years to go by so he can leave on his mission - now he only has to wait 4 years.  This is his little sister - she is a year and a few months old.  She is such a cutie.  I got to hold her on my lap in church on Sunday.

All in all it has been a busy and productive week.  We feel great gratitude to be able to be here serving in this beautiful country among these wonderful people.  They have such strong testimonies of the gospel.  They have so little but feel such gratitude for the blessings Heavenly Father gives them. We can learn much from them.  We recognize that Heavenly Father is blessing us and keeping us safe everyday.  We are also very grateful that he is blessing you at home and taking care of you.  We pray for you daily and are grateful for your prayers for us. 

It is late, so I will sign off for another week.  Morning will come very early once again. 

Love you all
Mom and Dad

A Whirlwind Week

This week has gone by so fast.  We hardly have had time to catch our breaths.  We have had some very warm beautiful days and some very cool rainy ones.  Welcome to South Africa in the springtime.

This is our picture of the week!

This was the site on the way to Phuda yesterday morning.

Okay, I couldn't just choose one - this is another beautiful sight as South Africa starts to green up for summer.

On Monday morning we were up very early and we headed  into Maseru to pick up 6 elders to take them up to Leribe to meet up with two more Elders from our district and then head up to Northern Lesotho to a cave where there are cave paintings that have been there for centuries.  Very cool.  We packed a huge lunch for the Elders.  Elder and Sister Shumway came along so that the Elders did not have to take their Bakkies and so saved on kilometers and gas.  A good time was had by all.  The three Elders in our Bakkie played punch bug (VW's and Jeeps) on poor Elder Dube who had to sit in the middle.  Then we played Phase 10 all the way up to Northern Lesotho.  Needless to say I did not win.  They wouldn't let Elder Holt play cause he had to drive.

These are our Elders from Lesotho.  They are great Elders and this was our last activity together as transfers happen this week.  We will loose 4 of these young men to other districts.

The Shumways and us.

The Elders loved the lunch. 

Elder Gideme had been very sick all week, but he was not going to be left behind.  He was a great sport and had a good time.

They had some roundevelle huts like the early Africans lived in.  This was what they slept on - the hard floor with animal skins for a mattress and blanket

We served potato salad, fix your own sandwiches with different fillings, egg salad, ham, chicken, etc. fresh vegetables, chips, fruit, cookies, brownies and birthday cake for Elder Signorelli.

As you can see the Elders had a good time on the way down to the caves.

This is a sample of some of the painting in the cave

This little boy was a herder just across the way from where we had lunch.  I took him some cookies and a brownie.  I am sure he had a sugar high like he has never had before that night.

The San's people used this area to come to be healed centuries ago.

 We had a great day but were very tired by the time we got everybody back home that evening.  On Tuesday we were to go to Ficksburg to teach Norma another lesson, but she phoned and said that she had to go to the hospital.  She has has a lump on her breast and she had to have a biopsy done.  She has gone back to her Mom's in Durban for a few weeks, but will call us when she gets back and wants more lessons.

Tuesday evening we had company for supper.  The Gunderson's (a PEF couple from Durban who took us around Durban when we first arrived) called a week ago and said that before they left to go home Nov. 1st they wanted to see Lesotho, would we take them around.  Of course we said yes, and then they called and told us another couple - the Wilding's were coming too.  The Wilding's have only been out 2 1/2 months - nice to know there is someone greener than we are.  Then, I got a call from Jessee - the PFR fellow for our area was coming through that night.  So..... they all came for dinner.  We had a great evening and we did so enjoy everyones company.

Wednesday morning, we were up bright and early and headed into Maseru to deliver mail to the Elders that the Gunderson's brought from Durban.  They are always so happy to get mail as it only happens about once every six weeks.  A few of the Elders had served in Durban and knew the Gunderson's well and were so happy to see them again.  Sister Gunderson is a delightful, outgoing personality - everybody loves her.  Anyway after we dropped off mail we headed up to the non-school that we had visited about two months ago with the Murdock's.  We had been buying garden seed, garden tools, balls (soccer, volleyball and net balls) and 34 meters of fabric for uniforms for this non-school and Wednesday was the day we were taking it up to them.

In order to get into this school you have to have a bakkie.  So the Gunderson's and Wilding's climbed into our Bakkie once we had to leave the highway and I climbed into the back of the Bakkie with all of the stuff for delivery.  Along the road we met the director of the non-school and so she climbed in the back with me as well.

This is Mathakeng & I in the back of the Bakkie on the way to the non-school. The other lady is a helper at the centre.

We went up to the school and the children were just getting out for the day.  They stayed and sang and danced for us.  We took their pictures and they loved it.  After they sang for us, we sang for them.  Then Sister Gunderson had them do "There was a little house in the middle of the woods."  Most of these children are orphans and do not speak English.  A few of them speak a little English.  It was an amazing feeling to feel like you are doing something to help these children.  We are trying to get books to bring to this non-school as well.  LeAnne and Inge are trying to find a way to get books shipped over.  If not, I will have to try to find a source here in Africa to purchase these books.  We will purchase them and donate them in Shauna's name.  We feel that this would be appropriate and that she would approve of that.

Sister Gunderson with some of the children. 

These young men are doing a dance for us.  They each have a stick as part of the dance.

From L - R - One of the instructors, Sister Wilding, Two more of the workers, Mathakeng, and myself

We went for lunch in TY and then took the Wilding's and Gunderson's to the weavers where they picked out some beautiful wall hangings to take home.  Next we took them to Kome Cave.  This is a cave that was first used by the San people two generations ago.  People live there still today. 

This woman lives in this room behind her.  There are two other homes (one room dwellings).  One home has three people living in it.  They are very small inside.  There is no electricity, water is hauled from a stream a distance away and they live very simply.

I don't know if this young girl lives here or not, but she followed us around while we toured and then walked the 10 minutes back to our car.  She wanted sweets, which of course we gave her.

This was a view that we had as we drove back to Maseru that evening.

 We thoroughly enjoyed our time with the Gunderson's and the Wilding's that day and they loved the beauties of Lesotho. 

Thursday we took Elder Signorelli (one of our zone leaders) to Bloemfontein in a terrible rain storm.  Elder Signorelli has been called to be the new AP and so he was flying to Durban to his new assignment.  It was late and dark by the time we got back home.

We spent Friday and Saturday doing flat and bakkie checks in all our areas, as transfers take place on Tuesday.  We have also been busy getting materials to the teachers for the PEF classes that will take place the first week in October.

Sunday morning we were up and gone by 6:30 to go to Phuda for church.  We also had to teach a temple prep class and then I had to do a PEF fireside to perspective PEF students.  During Sacrament meeting one of the Branch Presidency came down and asked Wayne if he would speak after the next speaker was finished.  I guess one of their speakers did not show.  So, of course he got up and gave a great talk.  We don't go anywhere without a talk in our pocket.

All in all it has been a great week.  We have accomplished quite a bit and we are grateful for the blessings of our Heavenly Father.  We are grateful for his protection and care.  Driving in Lesotho is an adventure everytime.  You have no idea how close we come to being hit or run over or whatever.  It seems that weekends and the end and beginning of the month are the worst.  We never leave our flat without prayer asking for protection and we are grateful for the protection we receive.

We sent out an e-mail a week ago asking for family members to write some elders in the mission that do not get any mail.  Yesterday Annie read me two of the letters that she has written to the elders here.  I am so proud of you Annie - you did a great job.  I know they will love getting your letters.  I hope some of the rest of you will take a Sunday afternoon or a FHE and write some letters to these young Elders.  Mail and encouragement is so essential to missionaries.  Today, we got mail!!!!  Thank you! - to the friends who sent cards to us on Edith's passing.   It was good to know that mail does get to us here in Ladybrand.  We were so excited to actually find something in our mail box.  We love you all and continue to miss you.  May the Lord continue to bless you too.

Love
us.