June 27, 2013 Arrival

The bus left last night at about 7pm and arrived this morning between 10 and 10:30am.  A little longer than planned.  We arrived tired since we really didn’t sleep on the bus.  Sandile Makasi, the man who makes all the arrangements for housing and bussing for first time temple patrons, met us at the bus depot and drove us to the temple grounds where the housing and everything is located.   

We then met Renae who assigned us our accommodations and arranged for food to be saved for us when we were not going to be at the canteen during the meal time and for Saturday when they don’t serve meals.

After we were settled in and lunch eaten, we took Brother Canny and Sister Van Rensburg to distribution to get their first set of garments.  I also picked up new scripture covers for Rick and I with an Africa motif.  

We then went to the temple to begin their temple ordinances.  We thought the baptism and confirmation had been previously done for Sister Van Rensburgs husband, but upon arrival they found it hadn’t been done.  She was hoping to have Rick go through the same session she was going through for her husband and then be sealed to him after that.  There was a very helpful coordinator who managed to work it so Rick could quickly to the baptism, confirmation and initiatory all before the assigned temple session.  He did this, as well as being Brother Canny’s escort for his first time.  It was amazing!!  I was able to be escort for Sister Van Rensburg.   We attended the 5pm endowment session and Sister  Van Rensburg was sealed to her husband, Russel Burton Van Rensburg, at 7pm.  After their sealing, their daughter Sune’ was brought in and sealed to her parents.  The spirit was very strong and I know he accepted all of the work that was performed for him. 

It has been a great day.  Before lunch, Rick met the next Johannesburg Temple President, Brother Eppel.  He saw us and our name tags and they talked for a bit.  He will start in November.  I also was talking with Sister Armstrong, the current Temple Matron, and she told me they would be in Port Alfred sometime after the middle of August.  That always takes care of one Sunday’s speaker!!!