April 30, 2013

 The Elders came over for Correlation Meeting and had lunch with us.  Rick wanted to have French toast with the homemade buttermilk syrup.  Elder Davuke loved the syrup and asked for the recipe. 

After they left, we left as well and visited the new Nteyi baby…babies are so cool!!  Rick had a meeting with his membership clerk, and while he was doing that, I went to Pick n Pay to do a little grocery shopping.  While I was in the nut isle, a man approached me and shook my hand and told me he was from Peddie and he had three children…no wife.  So what do you say.  Then he said I could be his wife and he my husband.  Whoa!!!  I simply told him I was married and he said Oh…Okay…weird!!!  Really weird…weird.  He then just left…thank goodness.

April 29, 2013

 Rick had invited Brother Canny to dinner and then they were going to discuss speakers for Sundays in May and subjects they would speak on.  We had a great visit with him and heard his testimony of his conversion. 

Nomsa Nteyi had her baby today…a little girl weighing 3.6Kg. Patrick, her husband and the Elders Quorum President, is happy with their new addition.   

April 28, 2013

 The Elders came over at 6:45am to help make sandwiches for the lunch for the branch between Sunday General Conference.  We had plenty of sandwiches…I think we made about 65 of them.  A number of people left after the first session and didn’t eat lunch.  A goodly number of them ate the lunch and then left.  Not very many stayed for the second session…maybe four and all of us missionaries…all four of us.

April 26, 2013

 Today is Elizabeth’s big day at the temple.  As I am typing this note at 9:15 pm South African time, she is in the 3 pm session at the Washington DC Temple.  We Know that she will have a spiritual experience and a great day.  We are where the Lord wants us right not, it is just a little hard not being there with her.  However, we know all is well and Vicki, Robert, Brian and Risa will be with her in the temple, while Cheri will be watching Brian and Risa’s twins.

April 23, 2013

 It is kind of hard to believe that one year ago today, we entered the MTC to begin our mission.  We landed in Cape Town South Africa on May 2 of last year and it seems that time really has flown.  We still have 6 months to go, but we also have a lot more to do.  We are loving the people here and hope we are doing all the Lord wants us to do for them and Him. 

We had Zone Conference in East London today.  The Zone Leaders taught first of all, then President Wood talked for just a few minutes then he turned the time over to Elder van Gass, the mental health person covering all of lower Africa.  He and his wife are called on this mission to help take care of all of these elders, over 2000 of them.  He spoke of mental issues that can happen to those serving, but can also happen to anyone.   Rick meets most of the sign of one who is a perfectionist…not quite all, however. 

I was asked to bring dessert for after lunch and when the Elders were told I was providing the dessert I heard a “wahoo” sound come from some of the Elders.  It makes you feel good when you can bring some joy into the life of the Elders even if it’s through their stomachs. It had to be Elders we have had in Port Alfred and I must admit they have liked most of the desserts I have made.  It kind of made me feel good…and humble.  They like me for something, even if it is food!!

April 20, 2013

 Rick did some work at Hola's on the prep for their water tank.  While he was there, I baked cocoa brownies and zucchini bread.  The AP’s are here tonight and will be staying until Monday morning.  It is always nice to have visitors and we love talking with the AP’s, Elder Zarbock and Elder Twitchell.  Both of them are from Utah. 

 
The brownies did not turn out as good as usual…don’t know what I did to them…bummer.  They weren’t terrible, just not as good.  Yesterday, I burned the potato soup…just hasn’t been a good cooking couple of days!!

April 19, 2013

This last week we have tried to include most all of the stuff we do during a typical day just to show we really are serving a mission and not just on vacation here in South Africa. We will now go back to our normal format of including only our adventures and the more interesting parts of our days that we can write about.

April 18, 2013

 Alexandria was where we headed this morning to visit with the Barris’s. We HT/VT them and see them once a month in their home.  They are such a sweet couple.  She always serves some kind of refreshment. We always spend over two hours there because they are not able to get out as much as they use to and are lonely.  Afterwards, we went to the grocery store to pick up hamburger buns and a few other things, then to get a spout for one of the members water tanks, then home for lunch and quickly on to the Elders boarding for inspection, which they love.  They were ready for us because we warned then we would be coming.  They actually cleaned quite well!  Then we picked up some tools from the church so Rick could put in the spout and stopped by Sister Dells to give her some dinner.  Then, we went on to the Moore’s to change the spout.  Since Levonique and Nomvula are in seminary class and it seems they lied about their service activity, Rick spoke to their parents about it and found there is no way they could have done what they said they did.  They just wanted to get their homework signed off.  Lying is really a problem here…by everyone.  Thursday night we meet with the Hola’s where I read with her while Rick goes over things with Brother Hola, branch business or just about how he is doing.

April 17, 2013

 We started the day by picking up Sister Moore and Nomvula Chambala to take them to get a new money card for Nomvula to use since she is now at the Moores and they can get government money for her support.  However, we went to two different places to get the necessary paperwork done and found they needed her brothers ID number.  He is on mission in the Durban mission and is the one who's name is on the card. Rick got a hold of that mission and got his ID number so we're able to now proceed but the Moores decided not to worry about getting the new card for her and will just support her until her brother  returns from his mission in November so he can then use the extra money that will accumulate on the card when he returns to get started.  Anyway, after that was done, we stopped by the Nteyi’s and found Nomsa still hadn’t had the baby, as she was in the hospital in what we thought was labor.  We decided to visit her there and were on our way when we received a call from Patrick, her husband telling us he received a call from her and she was in tears.  When we turned off the highway into the hospital, there was Nomsa in tears with her suitcase.  We picked her up and took her home.  Evidently, she wasn’t having the baby yet and they released her.  She just wants to have the baby and is very miserable, but was told they wouldn’t induce until she is 40 weeks…she is only 39 weeks.  She will just have to wait on the baby.  
After that adventure, we met with the Elders at the Cockbain's home to sing "happy birthday" (a week early, because they would be out of town) to Tim Cockbain our Relief Society Presidents non-member husband.  I think he really liked it.  Then to the Chevrolet dealership to drop off our car to get a noise fixed.  Well, more of a noxious rattle...too many township roads!!!  There also happened to be a recall on this particular problem.  We have been trying to get this fixed for several weeks not...Yea, we are in South Africa and things just go a little slower!!!  After we got the car back and in (we hope) fixed condition, we meet with another sort of less active family after which Rick had a meeting with one of the members who is trying to get his life in order and be able to go to the temple. After that we went to seminary.  When I am teaching, Rick always picks up Brother Canny and visits another less active member who is struggling with word of wisdom issues big time.  They have been going over the 12 step addiction program with him...really not going well, but they keep trying.

April 16, 2013

 Today we picked up Sister Van Rensburg and met Tim Cockbain at an attorneys office to help her with all of the legal "stuff" that happens when your spouse dies.  He died not quite two years ago, and she never had any of the "stuff" taken care of.  She did see legal aid, but they decided they couldn't help her and she never pursued anything else because of lack of money.  Luckily, we found out she had stuff she needed to take care of.  She was just going to let the bank sell everything...only over here if they don't get all of their money, they still come after you...anyway, hopefully it can be taken care of.


Rick meets with the membership clerk, who is still trying to learn about computers and processes of making sure the records are correct.   He does this every Tuesday, then we take him home and give a short message to his family.  After that, we meet with a less active sister and read the Book of Mormon with her. She has come to church a few times since we have been doing that.  There is always hope!

April 15, 2013

 Rick did a service/work project today hauling brick from one members house to another members house. Afterwards he tried to find out what is wrong with the churches Internet as it is not working. I was at home and made an apple pie and two pecan pies.  We haven’t tried the apple pie yet, but the pecan is really good!!   We took dinner to the Tunye family and ate with them. We spent time talking with them about coming back to church.  We based our words on the talk by Elder Bednar about not being offended.  They had been hurt and quit coming.  We hope it helped…the Spirit was there.
 We stopped by the Mgadi home to sing happy birthday and give cupcakes to their daughter Bathesh. Always a fun thing to do and it seems that they are always appreciative. 

April 14, 2013

 Church went well…Rick spoke and did a great job on the talk.  He spoke about General Conference to gear the members up for the next two weeks, since we get it late here.  He also started the temple prep class during Sunday School.  He did a second class at the church at 2 pm for those who were not able to meet during SS time because they taught other classes during that time.  I was able to be there, also, which was nice.  The Elders did not come for dinner tonight, because they were heading for East London by 6 pm to have p-day there.  President Wood does not like the Elders driving that far after dark…it is dangerous to do so. We went to the Moore family and sang happy birthday to Levonique and gave her some cupcakes.

April 13, 2013

 Today Rick left about 7:15 am to pick up Brother Hola to get some boards from the Cockbains for the header on his house to start the process of putting in a water tank for them.  He also spent some time at church working with Brother Kondile and the garden weeding and transplanting plants.  He got home about 12:30.  I baked cupcakes for a couple of birthdays coming really soon.  We have been taking a treat to everyone who has a birthday in the branch.  Since our cleaning lady has just had a baby, I have had to actually clean myself…yes, I am spoiled…at least here…this place is big!!  Today was mopping. 

We received an email from Vicki about a shooting at the New River Community College where Ryan goes to some classes.  We love tender mercies of the Lord…Barry had picked him up 10 minutes before it happened.  Luckily, the shooter didn’t kill anyone.

We took dinner to Sister Dell tonight and ate with her.  Afterwards we talk a lot with her to take her mind off of things. She loved it.  Her back is still hurting her and she can’t get around much right now.  We also played a game with her…Rummikub.  She was happy for the time we spent with her.  Then we came home and Rick finished up on his talk for tomorrow.

April 12, 2013

 District meeting again today and after I went to the Fish Market to get fish and chips for lunch while Rick went with the Elders back to our boarding.  They both live on the ocean at home and love fish, so this was a real treat for them.  Elder Davuke fishes all of the time at home and told us he fishes with just a line.  We picked up Sister Cockbain and went to a branch family so she could do a food assessment for them as they need food.  We received an SMS this morning directed to me from the wife that their children were hungry and could I help get them some food.  When they need food, the husband has always before just gone to President to get help.  It was kind of weird how they did it today.  We purchased some food and Rick took it to them before he met with the Elders Quorum President @ 4pm and then his presidency meeting @ 6pm. When Rick gets home we usually tries to make sure everybody is ready with their Sacrament talks, Sunday School, Primary and Priesthood lessons, type up the bulletin and having something prepared just in case of no shows which seem to happen here.

April 11, 2013

 We had a lot of little busy stuff all day.  First we met with Jubber from the FM group who takes care of the needs of our building, actually all of the buildings at least in the Eastern Cape.  Then off to Sister Dells to check on her.  She hurt her back a couple of weeks ago and is still in pain.  We took her dinner, as well.  Then visits to  Nomsa Nteyi  where Rick and her husband gave her a blessing…she is due with her baby in a couple of days and very anxious.   We tried to visit with one of the young men Rick is trying to work with, but we think he is dodging him.  We then visited with Sinawo, who is a member, but goes to the Grahamstown branch, since her children live there.  She works in Port Alfred, so is here during the week.  Sister Hola was our last visit for the day.  Actually, I am the one working with her…reading the Book of Mormon with her and trying to help her understand it in English.  She is scheduled to be baptized on May 25. Her husband if Ricks 2^nd Counselor in the presidency.  Rick is also working on a talk for Sunday and planning the first temple prep class lesson for Sunday.  Lots to do!!!

April 10, 2013

 Today we went to Ntombiyakhe’s home and painted the rest of the kitchen she started right before she had her baby.  The  Elders came over after their studies and helped finish up and then Elder Davuke thought we should take all of the furniture out and clean the lounge room…so they did…we swept and mopped the floors there and in the kitchen. 

Seminary went well, again.  The kids have been doing great.  However, tonight all of the kids, except for Sinalo didn’t do the homework correctly.  So…I gave them a second chance to finish it properly for next week.  They do, though, have to do this weeks’ homework, as well.  They did think they should have a reprieve on the added work, but, naw!!!

Because it is a long way from the members homes and unsafe for the girls to walk to where we meet for seminary after dark we are picking them up and taken the home again afterwards. Some times we will have 6 of them in the back seat of our small car. They can really pack in tight and never complain. When I am teaching seminary Rick picks up his first councilor and does visits or teaches the twelve step program for addiction recovery to some struggling members.

April 8, 2013

 We spent most of the day with the other senior couples at our boarding and also a visit to Mansfield Game Park where we visited Gambit the Giraffe. 

 There were six couples, the Boyce’s, the Sherberts, the Stokoe’s, the Chase’s, the Van Sickles and us. 

 We had a great day, except the Van Sickles were quite late because they were in East London bailing an Elder out of jail and going to court with him…he was caught speeding 30kph over the speed limit.  Amazingly, he was finally released with no fine…divine intervention, I am sure.  We had a steak braai and great food and great visit.

April 5, 2013

 At district meeting today, we met our new missionary…Elder Tennant from Melbourne, Australia.  He and Elder Davuke will be coming for dinner tonight, so we will hear all about him.  He is a greenie right out of the MTC.  All of the missionaries we have met from Australia have been great and he seems to fit right in with that group.

The Elders came for dinner tonight as they had an appointment in Alexandria after district meeting and, of course, Elder Davuke didn’t want to miss a day of cooked meal!  We didn’t eat until about 8:30 because Rick had his presidency meeting and then an errand after he had to take care of.  But, we were able to learn more about our new elder.  He is the second of four children.  He seems ready to work hard on his mission, which we really admire.  We need more like him just ready to do the work.

We also found out the Elder Van Zyl is now with Elder Clarke, who was here a few months ago.

April 4, 2013

 Today is Elizabeth’s birthday…number 29.  She also received her mission call papers in the mail…exciting.  She is going to the Texas Dallas mission!!!  We wonder what is in store for her there.  Since she doesn’t like cold, this should be a good place for her.  She was hoping to go foreign and learn a language, but the Lord has other plans for her.  We are excited for her and proud of her. 

This afternoon before we called her, we received a phone call from Sister Cockbain, who is the Relief Society President telling us that Ntombiyakhe, a member of the branch, was having contraction and needed to get to the hospital. Sister Cockbain couldn’t get to her because she was in Bathurst, so we picked her up and took her to the hospital.  We got her there around 1 pm and by 1:25 pm she had the baby.  Rick was in an outer waiting room and I was in a waiting area right outside her delivery area.  The amazing thing here is that there was only one person, a nurse, taking care of her.  She delivered the baby, took the baby to the next room, back to the mom, then back to clean up the baby, then back and forth, etc…..I was the first to hold her.  Yes, a little girl.  The attendant brought her out to me in the waiting area, asked if I wanted to hold her and then just gave her to me, no questions asked!!  A little while later I was able to see Ntombihakhe and give her her baby.  She was so happy and excited to have her finally here. 

 

They don’t really do much with the mom’s to be and new moms.  The room is really quite stark and they are not given any pain meds or any meds for that matter, no IV drip, no monitors.  The lady delivering the baby wore gloves, but there was nothing sanitary about how she did things.  She touched doors and other things before going back to deliver the baby…same gloves.  It is really quite amazing. 

When they say Africa is not for sissy's they really mean it.

April 3, 2013

 We took Sinalo Nteyi to Fish River Sun for breakfast this morning.  He has been so diligent in helping Rick with all of his projects that he decided we needed to do something special for him.  He didn’t even eat dinner yesterday so as to have lots of room for the all you can eat buffet.  

April 2, 2013

 Today we did something we have not done yet on our mission…go to a movie.  Since the movie theater is closed on Mondays, we went today and took a less active member , Daphne Young, with us since she doesn’t get to go to those kind of things very much.  We saw Les Miserables.  The theater isn’t actually that old, however, the film and sound system had to have come from the 60’s or 70’s.  We have been spoiled in America! The movie was ½ price today, which we didn’t know before we went.  It was R12.50 which equates to $1.44 in American.  Not bad.

This evening we were back to much of our same routine…Rick training his membership clerk and the visiting his family, then reading the Book of Mormon with Daphne Young. 

Earlier this morning Rick went to Moore’s to finish up on the water tank.  It is now set in its place and just waiting for the rain to appear again.  Levonique, the oldest, is very excited about it being in place…she is the one who has had to go to the neighbors and haul water from their tank. Now it’s just outside!

April 1, 2013

 Yes, the call at 2 am from Eric was exciting and at 7:15 am South Africa time we got a call to let us know that little Hayley Kay Stumm had arrived about ½ hour earlier.  She weighed 7lb 12oz. and 21 inches long.  

 We heard her crying in the background…happy are we, happy are we!!  Ok, she didn’t really make it to April, officially, so Elizabeth still doesn’t have to share April with anyone else, yet.  We now will mark March 31, 2013 as the birthdate of our newest granddaughter…15 grandchildren, now!!!  

Rick called Elder Scicluna this morning since he will be ending his mission this week.  He will actually fly home on Thursday.   I sent his favorite cupcakes with Elder Davuke to give him in Cape Town.  Elder Davuke said he would transport them and then patted his stomach….yes, he loves them too, but I am sure they will safely make their destination.