June 24, 2012

 Our new elder, Elder Dale is having a hard time with the township….the dirtiness, mud, garbage, rats and everything.  

It is hard to take at first, but we know he will get used to it because he has a great desire to serve the Lord wherever he is called to serve.  He is a greenie and will weather through it, it will just take time.

Okay, I admit… I am still not feeling that comfortable there either. It has taken me a while to accept the township living conditions.  I know the people really don’t know any other way to live, but it is hard for me to understand how they can live with all of the garbage around them. 

 Then there is the mud, the cold dark homes, the dim lighting, cows, chickens, goats, pigs just wandering around wherever they want.  Oh and watch out for the do-do stuff it’s everywhere!!  

 It seems like I am always cold.  We layer our clothes but it would be nice to just be warm. We have a small propane heater but you can’t heat the house with it, you just have to sit up close and personal if it’s going to do you any good. I sure miss our wood stove.  It is such a different world here than I am used to.

There have been a couple of times I have been particularly desirous to just go home.  I got over it when I remembered why we are here and who we are serving, but nevertheless they did come. The first time was when I was the teacher in Jr. Primary. I only had 4 children to deal with, but it was overwhelming for me.  Two of them were off the wall…throwing things, hitting each other, climbing (or trying to climb) the shelves and running around.  One of the other boys doesn’t speak or understand any English…he just looks at you and does whatever he wants.  All I could do at that point was call it “the nursery from my worst nightmare” and try to survive!!!  

Enough of the whining. Now for the good stuff.

As hard as it can be some days to go into the townships, it is also wonderful. To visit with the members and share in their joy of the gospel is amazing and so fulfilling.  When we visited the Nteyi family, Patrick Nteyi who was asked to do a lesson in Elders Quorum, wanted to know how he did. He was so grateful for a chance to teach and felt pleased to be of service. He was also glad to know that Rick felt he did a good job.  Sister Priscilla Tunye, the Primary President, is so happy to serve. When asked by Rick to teach the primary children the Articles of Faith, she went at it full speed ahead. Three weeks later the children sang a song in Sacrament Meeting and from memory gave the first three articles of faith, afterwards bearing testimony about what they just gave. They are now set every third Sunday to do the same, sing a song and have children give from memory four or more articles of faith. Now that is magnifying your calling.  They did very well, and brought a wonderful spirit into the meeting with the testimonies they bore.  Sister Tunye is eager to do all she can to serve and welcomes any helpful suggestions we offer.  There is the Mgadi family, who open their home once a week so seminary can meet there and they always join us as well. Then there is Sister Dell, who would give the shirt off her back, and did give the shoes she was wearing to young sister she saw who’s shoes were falling apart. She walked away in just her socks but had a smile on her face.  Brother Nobebe loves to go fellowshipping with the missionaries whenever asked and is always doing something for his neighbors.  The list can go on and on of those who are helping others and are so grateful for any help given to them.  We are very humbled every day at the wonderful spirit these people have about them and the kindness they have toward others and us. 

You never know what you are going to get on Sunday at church but today was great.  The Sacrament Meeting went better than it has since we have been here and the speakers were excellent. The Spirit was very much in attendance today.  Last testimony meeting was also amazing. It is so humbling to hear people who have so little, and struggle so much to just provide food for their families, testify about the love in their hearts for our Heavenly Father and the Savior and how blessed they feel.

This is what mission is all about. There are hard things to endure, but the blessings are so great.