Temple Trip Dec. 19, 2009

We were able to go on a Temple trip to the Johannesburg Temple. We were asked by President Mann to take two Elders (brothers) with us and this is a picture of the Temple.

The two Elders received special permission to attend the Temple and do the work for their brother that passed away on October 7, 2009. Elder Sichinga the one on the right had been out for about a year and his brother, Elder Sichinga Jr., serving in Ladysmith both went to perform the work. Elder Sichinga Jr. had just been out in the field for 1 day when word came that his brother had passed away. Their brother had been preparing to go on a mission as well and this is why they received special permission to do the work for him. They also gave Barb the information so that were able to do the work for their grandparents. Barb, the Sichinga Elders, and I were the only people on the session but it was really special.

We were needed to perform baptisms and confirmations for all of the Madadeni and Osizweni saints that came to perform work that day. We had about 34 people in attendance to do baptismal work.

Elder Sichinga serving in Newcastle is in the middle and Elder Sichinga Jr. serving in Ladysmith is on the right.

This is a picture of the Elder's Quorum President for Madadeni 1 and his wife (Br. & Sis. Xaba). She received her endowments and they were sealed in the temple.

This is the bus that brought all of the people from Madadeni and Osizweni to the Temple. They left Madadeni at 5:00 am and didn't get home until about 8:30 pm. It is about a 5 hour bus ride in each direction. This is Sister Khumalo from Osizweni standing in front of the bus. We had about 60 people on the bus with about half performing baptisms and the other half performing endowments. A few came to just walk on the Temple grounds and prepare to go into the Temple next time.

Everyone that went to the Temple had tremendous spiritual experiences there and are anxious to go back. They have such closeness to the spirit and such strong testimonies. We are so privileged to be able to work with them.

This is a picture of President and Sister Moloi. President Moloi is the Branch President of Madadeni 1