March 2010

Wow, what has happened to February? We love the work here and February has been our hottest month so far but it is finally cooling off a little. Mom is especially grateful for that. We have been busy with the Osizweni “twig” and District Conference. This was also held in the Osizweni building. We had 479 people in attendance and it was the largest District Conference that we have ever had. President Mann, our Mission President, presided but all of the talks were from people in the Newcastle District. The District is organized and all of the auxiliaries are fully staffed and have been involved in the training of the branch presidencies. We are excited to see the work progressing.

President Watson, counselor in the area presidency, was here for a Mission Tour and we had dinner with he and his wife and President Mann and his wife. We have gotten some name recognition because some of the things that have been happening in Newcastle (we’ll tell you what happened when we get home) and they remembered us from their visit last year. We loved the Zone Conference and were inspired by the talks from our leaders.

We told you previously that the mission has been expanded to include more of South Africa, specifically the Free State and the country of Lesotho. Another senior couple has been working in Lesotho and have done a lot of work with the King and Queen and other government officials. They will be going home in May and President Mann would like us to move there so we can pick up the work that they have been doing and make sure that it continues and we don’t lose the government connections. The Queen of Lesotho will be attending General Conference and tour the Church headquarters and BYU during April Conference (they are working out the last items in making this happen) so it should be a wonderful opportunity for us. She is attending Columbia University in New York. We have been involved during February with the expansion by finding boarding for a set of missionaries that have opened Phuthaditjhaba which is in the Free State. On February 28 we were asked by President Mann to be in Phuthaditjhaba for their first church meeting and we were excited to go. They had about 25 people committed to attend church but funerals came up and most were not able to attend but we had a wonderful meeting with 8 in attendance that day. I am sure that it will grow rapidly and fill the room they have been given by a local college to use for church services.

We love the Elders that are working in our areas and enjoy feeding them each Sunday evening. We feel they are part of our family and hate transfers when they go to other parts of the mission, but come to love the new Elders that are transferred in just as much.

We finished the marriage class and had a wonderful time with about 20 married, or those considering marriage, who attended. What a fun group of people. We loved it and they were happy for the class as well. They joke about some of the things they have learned. We are now teaching Temple Preparation classes. What wonderful people we have the opportunity to be with and serve.

We hope to have approval for a Branch in Osizweni before we are transferred to Lesotho.

Yesterday, Sunday Feb. 21, 2010 we visited a member in public hospital. She was in an open ward with twelve to fourteen beds lining the walls with just a curtain that could be pulled around for privacy. The ward is open to the walk way. As you walked down the center hall there were several wings on both sides exacltly like hers. It was not very comforting to think that this is what could happen in America. The floors were cracked and uneven. It felt more like visiting a run down prison than a hospital.

Other than that things are wonderful here. We had District Conference and had 479 in attendance. We are to the point now that we recognize or know most of the members in our five branches and two twigs. When we got out of our car about 12 children from Dundee just ran over and gave us hugs. It doesn't get much better than that. We have not been to Dundee in over two months so were were way surprised that these young members would remember us.

We realize that everyone is having great spiritual experiences doing the Lords work. Ours just happen tro be in South Africa.

Yesterday, Sunday Feb. 21, 2010 we visited a member in public hospital. She was in an open ward with twelve to fourteen beds lining the walls with just a curtain that could be pulled around for privacy. The ward is open to the walk way. As you walked down the center hall there were several wings on both sides exacltly like hers. It was not very comforting to think that this is what could happen in America. The floors were cracked and uneven. It felt more like visiting a run down prison than a hospital.

Other than that things are wonderful here. We had District Conference and had 479 in attendance. We are to the point now that we recognize or know most of the members in our five branches and two twigs. When we got out of our car about 12 children from Dundee just ran over and gave us hugs. It doesn't get much better than that. We have not been to Dundee in over two months so were were way surprised that these young members would remember us.

We realize that everyone is having great spiritual experiences doing the Lords work. Ours just happen tro be in South Africa.

We’re having more magnificent happenings here in South Africa. I could fill volumes of wonderful experiences and miracles that are happening faster than we can report. We sit down at night and marvel at all that has transpired. We have never felt so loved or loved so many people at one time. We assist four branches, the YSA group, teach a marriage class, work with our newly organized Newcastle District, assist the YW’s programs, assist in Primary, and assist the young Elder Missionaries which includes a nice Sunday night meal each week. We have been working with some less active return missionaries and they are returning to be a great help to their branches. We also offer a bed and breakfast for other senior couples, Pres. Mann and area authorities when they come to Newcastle

I will share with you the events of Friday Feb. 12th. We awoke at 2:30 AM to the sound of knocking on our bedroom window. The District Leader had come to inform us that Elder Jensen was in the hospital in great pain. It was thought that he had appendicitis. We rushed to the hospital to be with him. After several calls President Mann called back and said if they could not do the surgery by arthroscopic means bring him to Durban because the healing time is so much faster and the surgery is less invasive. We sat next to his bed waiting for the Surgeon to arrive and were told that the procedure could not be done in the public hospital so we moved him to private hospital. He was only in Public Hospital because they did not have a bed available at Private Hospital. When another surgeon came and looked at his stats he questioned the diagnosis, ran a scan and declared that it was kidney stones. Thanks to Pres. Mann’s concern and inspiration Elder Jensen was saved from an un-necessary surgery. He had a procedure to remove the stones and was out working the next day.

While we were waiting for the procedure, a man of Indian descent approached us and said Dad/Randy looked like a minister and asks if he could ask some questions. He said he had been searching for more spirituality in his life. His church was of no help to him. He was watching every evangelical program on TV and not finding an answer there. He had been fasting for three days hoping to find some answers. Needless to say we assured him that we could offer him what he was searching for. We sent the Elders to him the following day and they had a very productive visit with him and his family. We thank Elder Jensen for getting us to the hospital.

Last night Wed. Feb. 17th one of our dear sisters that is a new convert informed us she has HIV. She was in the hospital for a week because she was suddenly so weak. She was in tears because her doctor doesn’t give her much hope. She will receive a blessing this morning. We will see a miracle of recovery or of accepting the wonders of graduating to the next phase of this eternal journey. Her friend that introduced her to the gospel was wonderful last night. She told her she needed to be strong and have faith. It is amazing how quickly and thoroughly these wonderful people understand the gospel plan. Needless to say our hearts are heavy but our mission goal is to see the Lords hand in all things even those hard to bear. We know God has a wonderful plan for her and miracles will accompany those close to her.

Monday and Tuesday we were privileged to be in the presence of Elder Watson of the Area Presidency. He was here for mission tour. He served as Assistant to the First Presidency starting with Joseph Fielding Smith and was called to the quorum of the Seventies by President Monson. What a wonderful experience to be up close and personal with such dedicated leaders.

We love our mission and this chance to serve here in South Africa. We love and miss all of you and know that as members of the church you are also having wonderful rich blessings as you serve in your wards and stakes. How blessed we are to have the gospel in its fullness in our lives. There is so much more we could relate but time is an issue and this should give you just a sampling of our daily experiences.

Love to All.

Another great week in South Africa

We had a great week. Saturday the first district auxillary meeting was held. Primary, YW, Relief Society District Presidents that were newly called along with seven district councilmen were all set apart for their new callings and then trained. It was a remarkable and historic day since this is the first time in the Newcastle District in South Africa that anyone has held these positions. We have only had a district presidency up until now. The spirit was strong we all shared in the excitement of what this means for our district. Each individual felt the weight of their responsibilities and we felt joy at knowing we were passing the leadership to them. Here is a picture of all of them that were called and trained.
Primary in Osizweni was challenging because we had nursery, primary, YM & YW altogether. Here is a picture of all of the youth that were in attendance at the meeting last Sunday. Next week we will meet in the civil community hall and have soooo much more room. We will then have a youth class for all the twelve to eighteen year olds.

Notice the way that the young men are working directly with the kids without being asked. We are so proud of them and all that they are doing. We have a twelve year old young man that leads the singing in Sacrament Meeting. He is so special. Cute as can be and has such and engaging smile as he leads. We have special feelings for all these youth.

Our Home in Newcastle

Pictures of our Boarding (home we rent).

After a number of requests from our children to see pictures of where we are staying in Newcastle, South Africa, we have finally taken some pictures to show them the house that we are renting. Previous missionaries have done much to purchase furniture and make this a very comfortable home. We feed 8 missionaries each week on Sunday evening around the dining room table (and occasionally many more) and have them drop in on us throughout the week.

Here is the living room (we still have our Christmas tree up)

This is the Dining Room which is open to the Living room.

Our kitchen faces north (the sunny side of the house) and where our backyard is located. We have a garden and are raising zucchini, tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, and beets. We give this food away to those in need but most have never had zucchini before so we need to teach them how to cook it.

This is the other end of the kitchen

This is the bathroom with the smallest sink that we have ever seen. This has the shower, sink, and toilet in this room.

Bathroom with tub and sink only

Christmas 2009

Nativity set from Swaziland.

Merry Christmas to all of you!

What a wonderful time of year! The temperature is running around 95 degrees and high humidity but the feelings of the heart are the same. We have been very busy with all of the work that needs to be done. We have included just a few of the things that we have been involved with below. Our children wanted to share Christmas with the kids in Madadeni and Osizweni so they sent us some money and we purchased a number of small gifts to hand out after Primary and at the homes of some of the people. Here is an example of what was purchased. We can't begin to explain the joy that the children had in receiving a gift. Most of them don't receive any gifts for Christmas so this was a major surprise. We packaged them in small plastic bags and had the Elders hand them out. One young man was still carrying his bag around four hours after receiving it.

Our missionary tree has added a festive spirit to our boarding. It is decorated with little cars, mini hangernade water guns and gift tags.

Our entrance safety bars held our Merry Christmas sign and stocking. Notice our beautiful yard.