Hospitals, Hippos and Self Reliance

July 26, 2015

Greetings to our dear friends and family,

ALL ALONE

Monday night we went to the Regional Government Hospital (Ngwelesane) that I have mentioned earlier.   We went to visit a 13 year old girl from one of our congregations.  This young girl has been in the hospital for 8 days and is suffering from anemia.   I thought that was easily cured by iron supplements but I guess not.   She has been very sick for 2 years in spite of taking "tablets", as they call medicine.   We also took her branch president/minister, his wife and 2 other young girls from the congregation.   We have a small Toyota and were PACKED into the car.  Forget seat belts and weight limits! On the way to the hospital the Nyawos asked us to stop at a grocery store.   I had forgotten that you MUST take food when you go to visit anyone in the hospital.   The young girl that we were visiting also has an ulcer/stomach problems so I questioned whether we should bring anything because it might upset her stomach.   They quickly dismissed my concerns and ran into the store.   When they came out 25 minutes later they had BAGS of FOOD.   I didn't dare ask what they purchased (these people barely have enough money to buy even the most basic food for their family).  We arrived at the hospital and were told we had to wait one hour until visitors were permitted.  The car was too crowded, so we stood outside with dozens of others.   When they unlocked the gate, we all rushed in.   I was shocked at how frail and sick our patient looked.   Immediately our group pulled out the food.   They had purchased a spaghetti dinner (from somewhere), chips, soda pop, and 3 pieces of very greasy fried chicken!   I was so worried about what this would do to her upset stomach, but I didn't need to worry.   She was so sick that she didn't even notice the food.  She was moaning and turning and crying in pain.   I quickly looked around for a nurse or aide.   But there was no one anywhere.   This was the Woman's Ward and was huge!   A big open room with beds lined up close together.  It must have had 100 beds and no medical personnel.  Twenty minutes later a lady came into the room and I asked for help for our patient.   She nodded but obviously had many other things to do.   Eventually she came by and gave our friend some green liquid.   I asked what it was and she said "pain medication" so she can sleep.   I was so relieved.   But then the lady with us said, "That is the same medicine I give my 1 year old twins.    You can buy it on the shelf at Dis-Chem (Drug Store)."   I said it probably just looked the same.   But she went over to the cart and picked up the bottle.   She said it was what she gives her babies for fevers!   We stayed 1 hour and I observed other patients.   EVERY patient had an IV bag (I thought it was medicine but found out it was fluids for hydration.) and every patient received the green liquid for pain......one-size-fits-all treatment.   After 1 hour, everyone was asked to leave.   I felt so helpless walking away from a young girl in so much pain, with only 1 nurse for the entire ward and no one to be by her side!  But I was so thankful for the time we spent rubbing her back and letting her know we loved her.

FRIENDLY HIPPOS?

For our P-Day (Preparation Day) we went with another missionary couple (they were traveling here for a meeting) to St. Lucia.   We went on a Hippo-Croc River Boat tour.   We had been there before but this couple hadn't.   We spent 2 hours on a double decker boat with 30-40 other people.   This month is a school holiday so there are people from all over Africa visiting.   We saw so many hippos, several crocs and large birds (storks, pelicans, cranes, kingfishers).   

Hippos kill more people in Africa than any other animals.   They kill over 2,000 people each year!   They look so sluggish and slow, but they can outrun a man for a short distance.   There teeth are huge and one bite is all it takes!   Hippos can stay underwater for 6 minutes and then they must come up for air.   This is probably more than you cared to know about Hippos.   I loved our guide, he was able to spot wildlife and move this big boat so CLOSE to the animals.   He moved slowly and almost nudged them with the boat. 

Africa is an incredible continent.   The more we view the animals and learn about them, the more I am filled with gratitude to my Heavenly Father for his creations...the variety and their habitats.  What an amazing world we live in!

We raced back from St. Lucia and went to Enselini where Larry taught Seminary.    During the last 30 minutes of the lesson, the power went out.   It was the first time I had NOT brought our flashlights and lanterns.   Luckily three people had cell phones so we used them for light.  We can't describe what a great feeling it is to share the teachings of Jesus Christ with these young people.


 Afterwards, we went and sang Happy Birthday to a member of the congregation.   It was pitch black in their home (these people do not have flash lights, etc., and just sit in their homes for hours in the pitch black) so we went outside in the street and talked.   The homes are so small and crowded that it is not wise for non-family members to try and navigate in the dark.  

We arrived home at 8:00 and I hurriedly got dinner going.   We were starved.

Friday morning, the Taylors left, I threw their sheets in the washer, and I started making a dessert.   We were having a Self Reliance training at our home at 6:30 PM.   Then Elder Todd and I began studying for a class we were teaching at 1:00.   This is a class called "My Path".  It is an assessment and sampling of different career paths available to them:   Getting a Education, Setting Up their own business, or finding a job.   We have assisted when the Snell's taught this, but we have never run the program ourselves.   However, things went fine.

We returned home and threw the towels in the washer and made the guest bed because the Snells were arriving at 5:00 to stay with us and teach a training for the complete program.    The towels were still in the dryer when they arrived.   During the next 45 minutes every person in our class called to say they couldn't attend the training.   So we ate a relaxed dinner and didn't rush to get ready.   We had a one-on-one training from them on the complete Self Reliance Program.   Our definition of Self Reliance is "the ability to care for yourself and your family both temporally and spiritually."

SELF RELIANCE CHALLENGE

The program is fantastic and all encompassing.   It is 12 weeks long for 2-3 hours each week.   They have 1-2 hours of homework each day.   It is a huge commitment.   Not everyone makes it through the course.   We give lots of support and help but they must do THEIR part.   Many people are unable/unwilling to put forth the effort.

Saturday morning we arrived to set up at 8 am for our 10 AM class.   It took every minute to haul in tables, set up the computer and the projector, bring in chairs, workbooks, etc.   But we finished just in time!    We had 30 in attendance and were VERY pleased.   If we finish with 15 it will be considered a huge success.   If 5 finish, it is a success.  If 3 finish it is good.   We have had to adjust our mindset for "success". 

One of the missionaries in the next zone (another senior couple works with these missionaries) was buying bread Saturday night with his companion and they were robbed at knife point.   Missionaries have very little money or anything of value with them.  The muggers took their cellphone (a very cheap phone with no internet...commonly called a "piece of junk:"), a few coins and then asked for their shoes.   The missionary was taking off his shoes, but he was too slow so they stabbed him in the foot!   He was taken to the hospital and received many stitches but will be fine.  

There is so much more to say.    I will end here.....I know you thought I would never end.   I wish I could convey the responsibility we feel to "lift" the African people, the gratitude we feel for being here, and the love we feel for our Savior.   It is only through the grace of Jesus Christ that we are able to accomplish anything,    We realize MORE and more that he is in charge of his work.   We are grateful for our Savior.

The second pic is me holding a hippo tooth.   He has a mouthful of these.   

The last pic is one of several signs along the highway in this area.

Miss you,

Elder and Sister Todd

Hippo Tooth

An interesting sign along the road.

One of the Favorite Parts of Our Mission

This picture tells the story of a faithful convert who prepared himself over a few years to serve a mission.   He took a leave from the university where he was studying engineering, and moved home so he could save money for a mission.   He was the only member of the church in his family and they were not supportive of his baptism.    He remained faithful, prepared, served in the branch presidency (although he was a new member) and put in his mission papers.

Sandy wrote an article about him and it was published in the local newspaper.   He was even interviewed on the radio station.

He received his call to Australia, and then was delayed TWICE because his Visa was not approved.   Very few Africans are called to missions outside of Africa.   This was exciting and scary for Sanele.

His father attended his setting apart by President Zachrison, but his mother decided not to come.   President Zachrison gave him a powerful blessing.   Afterwards Sanele said, "I never thought I would actually make it to Australia."

He was put on the plane to New Zealand to attend the MTC there.   His flight went through Dubai.   There were problems with his VISA and they returned him back to South Africa!!!   He stayed in South Africa and went to the MTC 2 weeks later.   Eventually he made it to Australia!  

What a long path with many obstacles but he remained true.   We receive inspiring emails from him.

With the Lord, All Things are Possible

July 20, 2015

Dear Friends and Family,

We are learning so much on our mission.   We are grateful that the people are patient with us as we try to find the best way to serve and assist them.   I feel our capacity to love them and serve them continues to increase.  

WITH THE LORD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE

I must keep reminding myself, that with the help of the Lord all things are possible.   I know that miracles can and do happen.   And a miracle is exactly what we need....actually we need dozens of miracles.    

I have mentioned that we are involved in teaching Self-Reliance groups.    This is a comprehensive 12-week course that was supposed to be 2 hours for each class, but has turned into a 3 hour class because the material is so difficult for them to grasp.   The principles are very basic but they are completely foreign to our students.   We are teaching the class called, Job Search, and we have about 13 in our class.   We have 5 men from the ages of 20-28 years who have never had any kind of job...not even yard work or part time work.    We have 5 who do not have a matric (haven't graduated from high school).   We have a 40 year old mother who has no formal qualifications but has cooked for groups of up to 500 people at community celebrations.  We have a young man with a electrical engineering certificate (we discovered that means he took a 2 month course in something related to engineering and passed). We have one young woman with a double degree in media and communications, but has never found a job since graduation.  Quite a variety in one class. 

We asked each person to introduce themselves and tell us what kind of a job they were looking for.   Only ONE person in the group had any idea of what job they were seeking (she has the double major and wants a job in radio or TV or newspaper).   We explained that before they could look for a job they must identify what area they would like to work in, or what they were good in, or what skills they had.   We gave several examples and asked them again what job they would like to pursue.   Again, there was silence.   We gave some more examples and 2 people said they would like to be waiters.   Another self reliance instructor was observing us for the day, and she excitedly asked them "Why do you want to be a waiter?"   They both shrugged their shoulders and mumbled something to the effect that they had heard of those jobs.   After more discussion, we determined they didn't really know what a waiter did.   It was a job that they heard didn't require skills and maybe they could qualify for.   However, one of these would-be applicants spoke every little English and the other was so shy, he couldn't make eye contact with others.   

We learned they had no idea of what they could do, what jobs existed, or what requirements were needed.  The entire concept was overwhelming to them.  

We left so exhausted from trying to help each person one-on-one.  We feel such a responsibility to help them.   At the present time, they cannot fill out any questions or forms on their own. Jobs are very, very scarce here so it is a tough market.    But we can see that obtaining some kind of employment is crucial to their personal development, as well as, providing food and shelter.   Now you know why we need the Lord's guidance.

I wish each one of you were here to take one person and tutor them and stay by their side until they found a job!!!!

During the week, I approach complete strangers on a regular basis and ask them if they are working, what they do, and how they got the job.   I am trying to learn all I can so we can help our students.  

ADVENTURE

One of the things that makes living in a foreign country challenging, is discovering the correct way to do everyday tasks in your new country.   That makes it an adventure.
  

I was having trouble with my teeth before we came on our mission.   My dentist insisted that I make every effort to get to a dentist regularly to check my teeth while I was in Africa.     My gums became red and a little swollen.  I was relieved because I discovered a dental office nearby.   I called and made an appointment.   When I arrived and went back into the exam room, the dentist asked me why I had come.   I explained about the concerns of my teeth and mentioned my front gum.   He had me sit in the dental chair and open my mouth.   He quickly looked at my top and bottom teeth.   He didn't poke my gums with one of those wire-tipped-stylus-things.  He didn't touch my teeth.  He didn't take Xrays.   He said, "Everything looks pretty good.   Why did you come?"   I explained again about my teeth and gums.  And then I asked if I could get my teeth cleaned while I was there.   He looked so puzzled.   He picked up one of those metal pencils to scrape the teeth.   He tried to scrape the plaque.   Then he laid it down and said, "I don't know how to clean teeth."   Well, I didn't think he would clean my teeth, I thought the dental assistant would.   After a few awkward moments, he said, "In South Africa,  you don't come to the dentist unless your teeth really hurt.   We don't give exams unless you have a bad problem. "   I was so embarrassed.   He thought I was ridiculous.  So much for preventive dental care!!!  I again asked if someone could clean my teeth.     He said, "Well, why did you come here?  You need an oral hygienist."    I asked where to find an oral hygienist and quickly left.    When I went to the oral hygienist for a teeth cleaning, I found out they were a completely independent offices and not connected with a dentist in any way.    The cleaning was done very superficially with no real cleaning the way I was used to.   She did put polishing gritty stuff on my teeth like the USA.  She had a very small tube to suction the liquid out of my mouth.   It didn't work and she kept saying "Swallow."   So I continually swallowed the stuff.   Hope nothing will cause stomach problems.   As I left, she told me that I should come to her for a checkup....dentists don't do exams.   It reminded me that things are different everywhere, and things I assume are normal...are not the norm here.

THE WAY TO THEIR HEART IS THROUGH THEIR STOMACH???

The Enseleni township youth heard that I had taught a class on making brownies in another township, and they begged to do it.   I was happy to oblige but didn't know where I could teach it.   Only one youth lives in a family-type setting.   The others live with extended family...aunts, brother-in-law of their deceased sister, etc.   These youth don't feel welcome in their own home and they had very sparse kitchen facilities.   We agreed to meet at the one family home (which was tiny).   The night before they called and casually mentioned that the oven did not work.   I needed something else to make that was fairly simple and could be made on the stove top.    I decided on No Bake Cookies.  I had never made them but decided they fit the requirements.   The stores were closed but I made the list and we planned to go shopping first thing in the morning.   Later on that night, I decided we could also make Rice Krispy treats (I just saw on my cousins blog that they also made these in New Zealand for the people the same time we did.)   

We picked up the girls and a young man also decided to join us.   We had the best time.   I don't think we could have given them a better "gift".  Elder Todd was there the entire time, washing pans (there was no indoor water so he had to go outside to a spigot and wash the sticky Rice Krispy pan so we could make a second batch) and moving things around so we could find space.   The No Bake Cookies were even a bigger hit.   They hadn't tasted a "sweet" with peanut butter AND chocolate and they loved it!   We made boxes for all of their friends and their families.   Elder Todd could not believe  how happy they were.   Just goes to show that the simple things in life REALLY are the best.   (Picture #2)

HIGHLIGHT

Lungelo Mkhwanazi, a young man we have been teaching in our seminary class was baptized!   What an rewarding experience it was for everyone involved.   None of his family attended or was interested in what he was doing.   Nonetheless, he was very prepared and his testimony of Jesus Christ is inspiring.   He was glowing after his baptism.   He told us that  every week his grandmother (his parents died) yells at him and says "forget about Jesus. You can't go to church."    Then he goes outside and prays and prays.   When it is time for church or seminary, he walks out the door and she doesn't say a word or call him back.   She lets him go. He says, "Jesus is by my side every week."     When we see someone accept Jesus Christ, change their life, and wholeheartedly embrace the gospel, it fills our hearts with joy.  (Pic #1)

Our hearts are filled with love, concern and prayers for the wonderful people of South Africa.   Our hearts are so "full" as we watch the baby steps they make.   But I must admit, that when they make poor choices, I am devastated.  

IS THIS REAL?

Today on our P-Day we drove to a Nature Preserve 30 minutes from our home.   We hiked for 2 hours.   Halfway through our hike we came out of the woods and there in front of us was a baby zebra!   Before Elder Todd could get the camera ready, the baby bolted to her family (I guess).  Yet, they were still very, very close to us.   They watched us and didn't move away.   It still amazes us that we can run into a zebra while taking an afternoon stroll.  (Picture 4)

The last picture is also from our hike.   We wanted to get closer to the river, but we had been warned that there were crocs lurking at the water edge.   So we kept our distance.  (Picture 3)

We love you.   Thank you for your prayers and support.   It makes a difference!!!!!!!

Love,

Elder and Sister Todd

Another Week Has Flown By!

July 6, 2015

To the Best Family Ever,

We loved seeing your pictures on Instagram.   It looked like everyone had a fabulous Fourth of July.   Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you..... for making this holiday special and teaching your children about our country. 

Saturday night I was at the grocery store until it closed....wish grocery stores were open later for my last minute shopping.    We got home just as  the Zone leaders arrived.  They came over to receive the Transfer News for the missionaries in our zone.   The Assistants to the Mission President send out emails to every zone at 7 Saturday night of transfer week.    Our zone leaders use our computer/internet to get the news.    Then at 9PM they call all the other elders and give them the transfer news.   It is an exciting time.

Sunday morning we had to leave home at 7:20 AM  to pick up the Enseleni elders and take them to their branch.   Then we drove to church at the Port Dunford Branch.    This is a rural area and everything is more primitive but it feels much safer.   There is a house right next to the church with a family with several children.   As we got out of our car we saw a young girl squat and go to the bathroom right by the church fence.   Then she jumps up and runs around and plays.                 The spirit is strong in this branch but it is so small.    We love to attend there and give support.   I came to teach Personal Progress to the 2 Young Women but neither attended so I went to Relief Society.   There were 3 of us.   We passed the manual around and read the lesson together and discussed it.   These sisters are so faithful (both are raising large families and have no husbands).

Sunday night we fed the missionaries dinner and said goodbye to the elders who were being transferred.   It is always sad to say goodbye.  Having elders come on missions at the age of 18 changes things in some ways.   Most of our elders arrive here the month they turn 18!   Most have never been away from home (previously many had attended college or worked for a year).  That one year makes a difference.   These young men are in a different culture, many feel unsafe, they are driving on the wrong side of the road, and driving long distances in new areas where they don't know the language.   We watch them grow up, get stronger in the gospel and in their confidence.They have very discouraging days but keep on working.

We had an elder who came to our zone 3 1/2 months ago so downhearted.   But he never stopped working.   He worked so hard that he gained the respect and love of the branch members.  He really turned things around for the branch and had 3 baptisms, and in turn he turned things around in his own life.  He left here a completely different elder and he knew it.  It is wonderful to watch things like this happen.

Another elder had been a "slacker" for the first 9 months of his mission.   He wasn't bad but he didn't carry his weight or put his heart into his mission.   It had been a challenge for his companions who wanted to work harder.   But the last 3 months he had a companion who somehow was able to motivate him.   This "previous slacker" was transferred to be a district leader.   He can't believe it and no one else can believe it.....another miracle.

Often the miracles occur in the missionaries lives...instead of the investigators lives.

We wanted to do something special for a family in one of our branches.   We came up with the idea to make a "Candy Bar" card for them.    It was challenging because most of the candy bars are not the ones we are familiar with.   We spent about 3 hours looking in different stores for candy bars that had names that we could use to write a note.   It was even more challenging because the words would have to make sense for Zulu people--not Americans.   We finally found 9 that might work.   The note we put together was kind of silly/cheesy...but I am cheesy .   We took it to them and explained what a "Candy Bar Card" was, and then I starting  reading  it to them.   They caught on to the idea and continued reading with me.   Some phrases I had to stop and explain.   But they loved it!!!!  They had never seen anything like it.    They read and reread it and were so excited.   When we left, they were still so happy about it.   It is amazing how sometimes the simple things work the best.

The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored.   The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true.   I am so thankful we are blessed to serve a mission.   Thomas Monson is a prophet of God.   

Love,

Elder and Sister Todd