May 8, 2012

 We started our trip to our assigned area of Port Alfred. It’s a drive of about a 11½ hours so we only drove halfway the first day. We stayed at a bed and breakfast in George SA. 

Front View

Entry

Breakfast Area

Reading Room

Reading Room

Sunning Area

Our Room

Our Room

The owner is British and it was delightful to listen to her speak. I think she said this place was built in the early 1910's  The room was beautiful and very comfortable and everything was so very grand.  We even got a “cheerio” when we left!!   

We met up with Elder and Sister Richins who are the senior missionaries in that area.  

They showed us around George, drove us up into the mountains and then took us to the Rose Restaurant for dinner at 7:00 PM.  We were going to be seated in the front of the restaurant when Sister Richins said, “How about the back dining room”.  As we were being seated, I noticed, sitting at a table by himself, talking on a cell phone, the familiar face of Patch Bonkemeyer. We were both shocked.  

 

 We both served on the High Council together in Spokane Washington.  Patch accepted a job with a lumber company in South Africa as their new CEO in December.  So on a Tuesday night, at 7:00 PM, at a little restaurant in the town of George, in South Africa, half way around the world we meet.  What are the chances?