Pilanesberg Game Reserve

After a long absence of traveling together as Temple Missionaries, we all got up early this morning
(4 AM) and headed out for one of our favorite places, Pilanesberg Game Reserve.  With the arrival of Elder & Sister Garret we wanted to start showing them South Africa. Elder Garret served his mission in South Africa between 1960 - 1963 under President Aldridge.

The game drive started out slow but as the morning progressed we started seeing animals, the usual Zebra, Wildebeest, Warthog, and Impala.  We were hoping to see any one of the Big Five during this trip.  After stopping at several Hides (sight seeing huts built next to lakes) we did not see much except for a bunch of Vervet Monkeys and some Hippos.












We needed to leave the park by 12 noon so as to get one van back by 4 PM so Elder Mincks could make it to the airport to pick up a couple coming from Madagascar to be translators at the temple.

At about 11 AM we had our first sighting of one of the big five - a Rhinoceros.

Shortly after leaving the Rhino we were notified by an oncoming car that a pride of lions had been sighted just ahead of us. We took off and no more than a half a mile ahead of us we saw cars parked along the side of the road.  Upon arriving we were shown where the lions were bedded down and -WOW- our first sighting of lions in the wide.  Just to see LIONS made the whole trip worth while.

                                                                                       
                                                           Two Young Males

                                                           
After spending considerable time watching the lions we headed for the exit gate.  Just before getting to the gate we rounded a corner and right there next to the road were a group of Elephants, the third of the big three we sighted on this trip.

What a trip.  Everybody concluded that this was, without question, the best game drive ever. Seeing three of the big five is a remarkable feat. Still looking for the elusive Leopard and Water Buffalo - maybe next time.

Our plans for an early lunch was disrupted by the traffic because today was a holiday in South Africa so the roads were packed with returning vacationers which made the drive home long and tedious.

Johannesburg MTC Experience

During the extended shut down of the Temple, we have had the distinct honor and prviledge to serve in the Johannesburg MTC with President and Sister Reber.  The Rebers received their call just months before we did which we discovered in the Deseret News.  Funny things is that Janet Reber and Jenee knew each other as kids when they both lived in California. After many years the Rebers moved to Utah in the area of Sandy where we lived and they rekindled their friendship.

We served in the MTC on  August 2nd, August 23rd and September13th.  Our assignments was to assist the incoming missionaries to fill out all their paper work; get them to the nurse for immunizations check (and shots if necessary); get to lunch, be interview by the President then to email home to their parents on their safe arrival. We had a few return missionaries there to assist as well.

On August 2nd we had 23 missionaries arrive, on August 23rd we had 34 arrive, and on September 13th we had 21 arrive.  The majority of the missionaries were from African countries with the others coming from the United States or from Europe.

It was great to see these young men and women enter the MTC in preparation to serve the Lord throughout the various mission within the Africa South East Area.  It so reminded me of my experience many years ago but much more organized in training and preparation.

                                    

                                       

   

                                                                  Jenee and Janet Reber

With our returning to the Temple On Tuesday September 18th the days of our new and exciting adventures will come to an end. We are so thankful that we have had the opportunity to serve and appreciate some of the other areas within Senior Missionary Service here in South Africa.  The Lord certainly does move in mysterious ways his wonders to perform.

Church Participates in NICSA Meeting

September 1st, the beginning of Spring here in South Africa started off with a bang when the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints hosted the first regional conference of the National Interfaith Council of South Africa to help launch the Gauteng (Johannesburg) Chapter.

Over 800 guests representing the local Christian churches, Judaism, Muslim, Hindu, Rastafarian, Baha'i, and other religious groups were invited to attend, with about 400 actually attending.  The meeting was held at the Bedfordview Stake Center here in Johannesburg. Registration at 8 AM was handled by the Senior Area Office Missionaries and Temple Missionaries where each guest was warmly greeted and given a small sack breakfast before the conference began.  A voucher was also given for a sack lunch for later on.  The ushering was done by the full time missionaries.

                                      Registration at the entrance to the Stake Center

South Africa is known for its colorful cultural African dress which they so wonderfully transfer to their religious uniforms.  Nearly every religious organization has their own colorful and unique uniform or cultural dress as you can see.

The meeting consisted of speakers from the NICSA organization, government officials and invited guests.  Throughout the morning, between some of the speakers the congregation would spontaneously break out in tribal religious songs, that only Africans can sing.  You just had to be there to appreciate their unique yet most beautiful harmony accompanied with respectful hand waving and dancing.

Just before lunch some 40 primary children of the LDS Church entered and sang a medley of "I am a child of God" and "I Believe in Christ." It was beautiful and surely enjoyed as indicated by the rounding applause given to those in attendance.

After lunch Brother Dominic Tshabalala, a member and South African head of Public Affairs for the church spoke representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.  He spoke on how the NICSA should join together in the cause against inequalities, poverty and unemployment.  He focused his remarks on how the church emphasizes the family as the foundation of mankind in overcoming the many problems throughout South Africa. He spoke of the plan of salvation in that we are all children of God coming together united in an interfaith cause to save a generation and a nation even though we might have religious differences. He did a wonderful job representing the views and teachings of the church as they related to the purpose of the NICSA. He made it clear that the church does not get involved in politics, but we do stand up for and support those whose ideas are for good and righteous principles, especially those to strengthen and build the family unit. He took the time to recognize the Full time Missionaries and the Senior Missionaries who are here serving in Africa spreading peace and hope in a country struggling with strife.