Well, it is now just over a month since we arrived in South Africa and we have to say that it has been everything we both expected and hoped for. For Jenee the country is much more than she expected with all its modern roads and "YES" shopping malls. Back when I served here ( 47 years ago) there was no such thing as a modern free way or highway but today they are spread out all over South Africa. Back in 1965 there was no such thing as a shopping mall or discount store but today they have stores that are so big that they would rival Cosco, WalMart, Nordstrom'sor Dillards any day. They have malls that are so big that they make Fashion Place seems small. It is a different yet wonderful country, we are really without nothing. Well, Jenee would say differently because she still can not find Frito's, Campbell's Soup or a spice cake mix.
Tomorrow is Easter and she was so disappointed that she wasn't going to have a ham for dinner but lucky enough we found the last one of the shelf at Woolworth's. We are having two other missionary couples over for Easter Dinner.
The missionary work has been wonderful with each day holding a different experience and blessing. I would say that 80 % of the patrons are black and they come from all over Africa. Just last week we had a group come from the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo) that spent 18 hours on a bus just to get here. They stayed at the patron housing and spent two days doing personal and family temple work. For many of them, this will the first and only time they will make it to the temple The cost is a heavy burden on most of them, and if it wasn't for the Patron Assistance Fund, many would never get to the temple. Hopefully when they get their own temple in a couple of years, things for them will be more accessible?
Last Thursday we had a family from Zimbabwe who traveled 58 hours (included a bus break-down) to get here with 8 children ranging from 16 yrs to 8 months to be sealed as husband and wife and a family. You just cannot appreciate the sacrifices they make or how wonderful it was to see 8 children all dressed in white surround the altar to be sealed to their parents. It was an emotional moment for all of us who assisted or participated.
This kind of thing happens weekly and is what makes our mission so special.
We have a wonderful group of Senior Missionaries ( 8 couples in all) serving at the Johannesburg Temple. We have a wonderful time both serving together and spending our day off visiting the sights in the area. Almost every Monday we are going somewhere, if not to a mall and lunch, then to a game reserve close by or one of the many historical sights. They come from the US, Canada and England. We have some local ordinance workers that serve with us but due to the lack of retirement programs in South Africa, most people work until they are in their 70's.
We just got notice two week ago that the temple will be closing down for 10 weeks starting July 16th for some major repair work. The roof and air conditioning need major repairs so the Temple Department decided to shut down the temple and get it completed. That has had an impact on some of our missionaries. Three couples who were slated to go home in August and September will be released and go home on July 16th. The remainder of us will be assigned to one of the other service areas within the Area Office. Some will go to Welfare, some to Humanitarian, some to Employment and some to who knows where.
Last week at our family home evening Brother Clayton who serves as the Chief Legal Counsel for the Africa Area spoke to us. We discovered that he and I are related in that we are both related to William Clayton, coming from the same wife of William. Brother Clayton has been here for about two to three months and his responsibilities are rather intriguing and interesting. After the meeting while sitting and talking it came quite clear that his work load is quite heavy at the moment so we discussed the possibility of me working with him during our shutdown.
Yesterday the Temple Recorder was talking to all the Elder Missionaries getting an idea as to their work experience and background to help decide where to assign us. When he got to me, I mentioned my discussion with Brother Clayton and he put "LEGAL" next to my name - so who knows, maybe I will get that opportunity - we will wait and see.
Tomorrow is Sunday, and we so look forward to attending church. Even with the 50 min. drive, it is worth every moment because our ward is all black and Jenee and I marvel at their growth and it makes us appreciate more and more the blessings we have back home. I wish everyone could spend one Sunday in their company, it would change your life forever!
No comments:
Post a Comment