SOWETO

The second day in South Africa we hired a tour guide,

and headed for Soweto

We visited the famous Soweto Towers

 

 The Go Pro camera went everywhere with us

After we left the Towers our driver, Agnes, of Felling Tours, pointed out a roadside butcher. Of course, we had to stop. We all piled out of the van and quickly spotted a carcass laying on the ground.  As we approached the pile of skin and bones  we could make out the ears, snout and eye balls of a hog.

 

Brad approached a young man standing at a nearby grill  who was  stirring a large black kettle of pap, is a traditional porridge/polenta made from mielie-meal (ground maize).

 

 Brad chatted with the young man and
learned more about their small roadside business.

Karrissa was approached by a young man with bleached white hair who wanted to invite them all to a party the following Friday night. Karrissa learned that he had just gotten his hair cut at an open air Hair Salon across the street so she went over to check out the shop.


I think Agnes was getting a little worried that she may be losing control of her group.

We had so much fun the first five minutes in Soweto that we really didn't want to get back into the Van but Agnes had a schedule to keep so we had to say good-bye to our new friends

but not before we noticed  another young man approach the shop and order his lunch, which was a cow's mouth and brain.

 

We decided that this might be a good time to leave before the guys decided to sample some of the butchers fresh kill,  so we all jumped back into the Van and headed for Kliptown Youth Program, (KYP)

 
"KYP’s mission is to eradicate the poverty of mind, body, and soul and to fight against the disadvantages imposed on the children of Kliptown, by providing educational support and after school activities. It seeks to develop young and dynamic individuals who are willing to contribute effectively for the betterment of their community".

 We toured their computer lab and some of the classrooms. When we visited the kitchen we asked the cook what was for lunch and she showed us a huge pot of chicken feet. Our young guide took us into one of the humble homes where the residents of Kliptown live.

Then we home where Winnie and Nelson Mandela lived in the heart of Soweto.  The day ended with a tour of Constitution Hill in Johannesburg. We took a brief tour of the prison and then visited the courtroom.

 We went home a little overwhelmed and exhausted. In the first 24 hours of being in South Africa our children had seen some of the poorest communities and thanks to our wonderful tour guide, Agnes, learned a lot about the history of South Africa.

Brad and Karrissa had requested we go to the  Carnivore Restaurant. So that was where took the family for their first night out in South Africa.

Some of the menu items included: Game Meats,Crocodile, Eland, Zebra, Venison Sausage, Lamb and chicken livers.



Tomorrow.....off to Adventures with Elephants
 

Family Visit

One of the hardest things for me about serving a mission is

being away from family

 

That is why we were so excited to have

Brad and Karrissa

and

Nate and Daysha

 

COME TO SOUTH AFRICA

 

 

They were so excited to be here that even after traveling for over 24 hours they were ready for a visit to Timbisa Tots Orphanage

 The minute we stepped out of the car they were surrounded by children clamoring for their attention.

 

The boys were eager to teach Brad and Nate how to shake hands

and to show then some of their dance moves

The girls held hands with Karrissa and Daysha and before we left they lined up to have their nails painted

 IT WAS A WONDERFUL FIRST DAY IN SOUTH AFRICA

 

We couldn't have been happier to be with our children again.

 

The passing of time

We arrived in Provo on March 24th 2014 to enter the Missionary Training Center. November 24th will mark the eighth month of our mission. Each Sunday I find myself thinking "How can it be Sunday again so soon". Then again, there are days that can be long and challenging and when we return to our little apartment I find myself longing for home and it seems as if time is standing still.

Today after a beautiful Primary Program I found myself filled with gratitude for this amazing opportunity to be a part of the Orange Farm Branch. When we returned to the Primary room after the children had recited their lines perfectly, and sang like Angels I found myself studying their sweet faces as they laughed and played together. I hope they remember the tender feelings they felt today as they sang songs that testified of eternal families. I hope they know how much Heavenly Father loves them. I hope they can withstand the temptations of Satan and grow to be strong leaders in their church and the community.

Today was one of those days that I didn't want to end. It was the kind of day that left me feeling sad that we won't have more time here. I wanted to continue to feel the warm peaceful feeling in my heart that I felt as the children gathered after the Primary Program and began to bear their testimonies. One by one each child anxiously came to the front of the room and bore a tender heartfelt testimony. Then the leaders stood before them and bore their testimonies. The final testimony was given by the a Stake Primary leader. She said, through tears that she has been to many Primary Programs, some that were held in beautiful chapels with the children's singing accompanied by a beautiful organ, but she had not felt the spirit as strong as she did today in our little classroom in Orange Farm as the children sang without any accompaniment. I  bore my testimony and told the children how much I loved them. I told them how I prayed that they would stay strong and hold fast to the teachings they had been taught so that they could be part of an eternal family. When I concluded on testimony a sweet young man, whose baptism we attended a few months ago stood up and led the children in, " I'll seek the Lord Early."

" I'll seek the Lord early while in my youth, and he will help me to know the truth.
  I'll search the scriptures and find him there then go to our father in fervent prayer.
 I'll seek the Lord early and  I'll  obey his living Prophets in all they say,
 I'll keep his commandments his love will abound,, I will seek the Lord early and he will be found."

It was such a touching moment. The tears began to pour down my cheeks as I felt such a deep love for the children and their leaders of the Orange Farm Branch. One little girl brought me a tissue and a little boy crawled into my lap. There are no words to describe how I was feeling at that moment.

A few days ago our children returned to America after a 10 day visit to South Africa. We loved every minute of having them here. It was very difficult to see them go. As I held my daughter in my arms before they boarded the plane I could feel the tug at my heart. I wished we were walking down that runway with them and boarding the plane for America. The idea of spending 10 more months away from them was heartbreaking.

Attending the Primary Program today was a tender mercy. I  was reminded of the blessings of serving a mission. I know that our Heavenly Father is mindful of us. I know that he is aware of the challenges we face as we leave our homes and our children behind to serve him. Today I was reminded me of the blessings that follow obedience. Today as I sat in that tiny school room in Orange Farm surrounded by these sweet children who I have come to love with all my heart, I reflected on our first mission to Ukraine. I remembered how Heavenly Father filled my  heart with the love for the missionaries we served with, the love for our sweet interpreter, Olga and for sweet Anya, Marina, and Nastia and Masha and all the members of Donetsk Centrale Branch.

Today I was reminded that Heavenly Father is aware of the sacrifice we have made and that he has blessed us as we have come across the world to serve the people of South Africa. Today I was reminded that the time will pass quickly and before we know it we will be leaving all these amazing people we have come to know and love and our lives will forever be changed.

A vist with an amazing man

Our friends Elder and Sister Barnes invited the Senior Couples over to their apartment to meet an amazing man from Kenya and see his beautiful woodcarvings.

He had set up a beautiful display of his work but the best part of the night was hearing his story.

MEET STEVEN KYALO

Not only is he a woodcarver but he is

 a Savior to over 80 Street Children from the Slums of Nairobi.

After we took a few moments to admire some of Steven's beautiful wood carvings we sat down to hear his story. 

 His parents separated when he was 5 years old and he was raised by his grandmother in his uncles home along with 12 other children. Steven joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his early 20's and served a 2 year mission. When he returned home from his mission his brothers wife died leaving behind a 2 week-old baby and a 3 year-old. Steven was concerned that his brother would not be able to care for the children so he took them in. He later married his wife and they had two of their own children.

Steven explained that he began to notice the hungry children on the streets of Nairobi and could not turn his back on them. He began bringing the street children to his home to offer them something to eat. It wasn't long before they were living with he and his wife. Steven soon realized he would have to have a bigger place for the children to stay. Today Steven has an orphanage in the Soweto Slum of Nairobi, Kenya.  They have served over 100 children with extreme basics for 12 years never asking for help  with over 80 children.

  Steven uses the proceeds from the sell of his wood carvings to support the orphanage. So blessed to have met this amazing man and to learn that Steven and his children are well known by the Senior Missionaries who are currently serving and have served in Kenya. We hope to be able to visit Steven and his children when we travel to Kenya. Click on the link below to learn more about United in the Hope of Africa.

Tembisa Tots- Bulamahlo Orphange

A few weeks ago we joined our friends Elder and Sister Barnes as they visited Tembisa Orphanage.

Elder Barnes pulled into the small compound behind a metal gate and as soon as we opened the van doors we were greeted with happy, smiling faces. Once we stepped out of the van little arms quickly clutched on to our legs. What a greeting. Elder Barnes got out of the van and began handing our apples to the sweet little faces. It was so touching. Small children would bring tiny tots to Elder Barnes to point out that they too needed an apple. As soon as I climbed out of the van I noticed a little toddler who was crying. I scooped him up and he quieted and just snuggled into my arms. I found a place to sit and soon 2 or 3 more children climbed into my lap.

I was touched by this little guy who was probably 5 or 6 years old who just wanted to be held. Other children tried to join him but he would not have any part of it. . He was not interested in the boys who were running back and forth screeching with laughter, or Elder Kinghorn and Elder Barnes who were playing with some of the children nearby. Sister Barnes was sitting on a stoop a few feet away with a little girl who had  practically jumped into her arms the moment she got out of the car. As I sat there watching the children play and I felt his little arm clutching my back, I found myself wondering how did you end up here with Mama? Where is YOUR mama?

 My mind flashed to another visit with abandoned children in a Ukrainian Orphanage. I remembered the day that I walked  into a room filled with tiny beds with sweet little faces beaming with excitement to see us.  I walked from bed to bed and knelt down to gently touch each child. I whispered words they could not understand. I gently placed my hand in the hand of each little child.

I am haunted by memories of the child that took my hand and slowly brought it hand to his nose and took in the fresh smell of lotion that remained on my skin after my morning shower. He then  brought my hand to his face and gently rubbed it against his cheek. No words were spoken but there was a magical moment when my eyes met his. When my touch conveyed not my deep love for him. I remember as we left the old brick building that day I was filled with a knowledge that the Savior knows each one of those children. My heart was comforted as I realized that his love was infinite and he will not forsake us.

 I know that he knows this sweet little boy who touched my heart that morning as I sat on a step at the Tembisa Orphanage. I don't know if his mother knows where her boy is, but I do know that the Savior knows.

                           

HERITAGE DAY IN SOUTH AFRICA

24 SEPTEMBER IS HERITAGE DAY IN SOUTH AFRICA

 

"ON THIS DAY, SOUTH AFRICANS ACROSS THE SPECTRUM ARE ENCOURAGED TO CELEBRATE THEIR CULTURE AND DIVERSITY OF THEIR BELIEFS AND TRADITIONS, IN THE WIDER CONTEXT OF A NATION THAT BELONGS TO ALL PEOPLE."

 

                                                                                          Wikpedia

 

 

 

 

 

WE WERE INVITED TO JOIN THE SOUTHAFRICAS WHO WORK IN OUR OFFICE AS THEY CELEBRATED HERRITAGE DAY AT A LUNCHEON HELD IN THE AREA OFFICE. 

IT WAS A VERY HAPPY DAY! MANY OF THE EMPLOYEES CAME DRESSED IN THE TRADITIONAL CLOTHING OF THEIR NATIVE COUNTRY

I love this beautiful face painting

THE COLORS WERE ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL

SMILES ALL AROUND

This is Flora, she cleans our office. Flora always greets me with a warm smile. She told me her mother made this beautiful outfit

Dominic was one of the few men who dressed for the occasion. He always has a big, beautiful smile.



THEN WE WENT TO ORANGE FARM AND THE WOMEN AT CHURCH WERE DRESSED IN BEAUTIFUL, COLORFUL CLOTHING AS WELL

WE STAYED AFTER CHURCH AND HAD A PHOTOGRAPH SESSION WITH ALL THESE LOVELY LADIES