Be Ready for Anything!

January 14, 2016

Greetings from South Africa,

Thank you for your love, prayers and support.   We appreciate each of you.  I have so much I want to share-- so I put off writing until I have more time---then somehow I lose the excitement of the moment that I wanted you to feel also.  

We had some wonderful opportunities the past 2 weeks.   Please realize that my words cannot convey the impact that we felt.

BE READY FOR ANYTHING

Last week Sister Moloi passed away.   She was about 75 years old and died of cancer.    She and her husband have been faithful members of the Ngwelesane Branch since their baptism.    On Wednesday night, the Relief Society President called me and asked if I would dress the body for burial,   Sister Moloi is one of the very few sisters who has been to the temple.    I agreed to help, but felt such concern because I have only done this for my mother (and my sisters and the mortician all worked together).   Immediately we realized that she did not have temple clothes and the temple is a 9 1/2 hour drive.  We also knew that no one would have temple clothes here.   Elder Todd announced the problem in the District Presidency meeting that night.  Our district president remembered seeing a box somewhere labeled "temple clothes".   After the meeting they searched and found the box.    It contained a temple dress and temple clothing!   We were so thrilled! Because we did not know the details/requirements for dressing a body, Elder Todd had been reading the Church Handbook, and we learned a great deal.   

Friday night, the Relief Society President, myself and Sister Beauty were to meet at the Moloi home to dress her.   We had another missionary couple staying with us ( from out of town) who came to do seminary work in this area, so we left them at 5:00 pm and said we would be back by 7:00 for dinner.   At 6 pm the Moloi house was still packed with mourners....and at 6:15 and at 6:45 and at 7:00 pm.  In Zulu funerals, they bring the body to the home and the casket is open for anyone to stop by and mourn for the deceased for one night and day.    But we had been assured that all mourners would be gone by 6 pm.  The  small room with the casket had 7-9 female relatives that refused to leave.     We approached Brother Moloi and he said, "They are family.   They can stay and watch."   I was terrified because I was concerned about nonmembers being present AND the fact that we did not know what we were doing.    We wanted to be respectful and reverent.

However, we had no choice so we began.    I talked to the ladies who were watching us closely, and explained a little of what we were doing.   They seemed very cold toward us, but we proceeded.   A HUGE challenge was that the funeral home had dressed Sister Moloi in her street clothes--a complete outfit with a dressy long sleeved buttoned blouse, underwear, slip etc.   We tried our best but could NOT lift her and get the clothes off---meanwhile our audience is watching. (The casket was against the wall so we could only lift her from one side.)
 I asked someone to try to find a pair of scissors.    Eventually, they returned with a child's pair of blunt tipped scissors.   One of the sisters was able to cut the clothing by sawing back and forth.   We removed the clothing and began dressing her.   I continued to pray silently.   

Before we put the temple dress on, I held it up for everyone to see how beautiful it was.   I explained in very slow English, that the clothing was pure white and that it symbolized purity.   I told them she was being dressed to meet the Savior in sacred clothing.   Before we put on the  robes, I held them up and reminded them that they are white and represent promises she made with the Lord.   I repeated it for the veil, etc.    They were reverent as we slowly proceeded.   Afterwards, we had them all come up and view her in her temple clothes.   I told them she looked like an angel.   As they came forward, they murmured their approval and one lady said, "She does look like an angel."   

Relief flooded over me.  I felt it had been a good experience for all of us!

After we finished, we looked for Brother Moloi but he was gone.  Someone came forward and said that  Elder Todd and Branch President Nyawo were supposed to check and make sure everything looked OK and then seal the casket.    We felt terrible that her husband was not there to see her dressed.   But the men figured out to put the casket lid together and sealed it!

As we drove home, we reflected on what had happened that night.   Young missionaries and senior couples have to be prepared for the unexpected!  We felt the Lord helping us.

COURAGEOUS

The next morning was Sister Moloi's funeral.   A large white tent was set up outside their house on the street and filled the entire street so cars and pedestrians could not pass.  Connected  to the tent was another large canopy.   Chairs filled both areas.   These chairs were covered with white fabric and a bow tying it together.   They look like chairs from a wedding reception in the USA.   There was a stage and a beautiful white leather podium and microphone.  The inside was decorated with white satin and colored twinkle lights.   It resembled a wedding reception. 

Although it looked like a Zulu funeral, it was going to be an LDS funeral---or fairly close.   This took such courage from Brother Moloi.   There were several hundred relatives and friends who arrived expecting a traditional funeral.  Brother Moloi had asked the missionaries from 3 branches to attend and to involve themselves in any they could.   They passed out the programs and set out the hymnbooks.   Unfortunately we only had 20 hymnbooks.    

From 9am-10am our branch members (15 of us) sat in the house with the casket and sang the hymns.   There were other family members that wanted to carry on in a different way, but we continued to sing our hearts out.   At 10:30 we walked in front of the casket, singing both LDS hymns and Zulu songs, as it was carried into the tent.   There were whispers from the audience because this was a different procedure.   As the funeral service proceeded, it was obvious that this was VERY different from the norm.   The speakers began and the feeling was reverent.   Members of the audience would try to dance and shout, but Brother Moloi stopped it.  One family member stood up and grabbed the microphone and spoke.   Elder Todd and I did not understand one word that was being spoken but watched their faces and body language.   

I guess because I lacked faith, I was a little nervous about the proceedings.  Brother Moloi was the picture of calmness.    He knew exactly what he was doing.   

I did not mention that Friday night I was asked to speak at the funeral.   I have no idea why I was asked to be one of the speakers and tried very hard to get out of it.   But my name was announced to come to the podium and speak.   (I could not understand my name, but they motioned me to come forward.)   The Lord blessed me greatly.   I was able to speak very slowly (unusual)  and used hand motions (usual).  I asked questions and the audience responded and answered back in Zulu.   After I honored Sister Moloi,  I explained the doctrine of families and eternal marriage.  

Brother Moloi asked the branch members come forward and sing 2 hymns.   Then he spoke about his wife.   He told of his love for her the the kind of marriage they had.   He spoke mainly in Zulu but twice spoke to us and the elders in English.  The way he spoke of his wife was unusual here.  

Last, he had his Elders Quorum President speak for 25 minutes on the Plan of Salvation and then testify of the Book of Mormon.   This was all in Zulu so we had no idea what was being said.    Afterwards, the Branch President kept repeating to us, "This took so much courage.    You don't understand how very brave these men were today.   These relatives and neighbors do not agree with us.     They believe in their traditions."    Then he said, "If a person listened today, they heard the gospel taught plainly. "   He continued emphasizing over and over that, not many people could do this.    He spent time explaining to us what had been said in Zulu.

We felt such great pride in these Zulu saints!   

UNWELCOMED PHONE CALL

We were heading to an appointment, when the Mission Office called and said one of our elders was in an auto accident.   We dread calls like this, but fortunately neither elder was injured.    The driver, Elder Lisonbee, has only been out 2 months.    When we finally arrived at the police station, we were unable to find a place to park---literally.   We went from one place to another and were told "You can't park here." (although there were plenty of spaces.)    We asked where to park and they shrugged their shoulders.    Eventually, the elders flagged us down and we parked in the road right behind their car.   It was a long, involved process but the elders were able to take care of everything themselves.    The Zone Leaders had also been there to offer moral support.   What happened:   A taxi stopped abruptly in the middle of the road, the elders were behind him and braked in time.   However, the next 2 cars couldn't stop and crashed into the elders.   It ended up being a 4 car pile up.    While waiting for police to arrive, the taxi drove away!  No one had insurance but the elders.     We were very impressed how the elders handled the situation.  

WE LOVE THE POWER OF FHE

Three or four months ago, we were holding a Family Home Evening with a nonmember family.    They happened to have some friends come over that evening.    A week ago, I bumped into the second family at the grocery store and asked them if we come could and hold a FHE at their home.    They agreed.   Wednesday night we were able to share a lesson with the parents and 2 children.    They agreed to come to church this Sunday.   Elder Todd was supposed to teach in another branch Sunday, but we are going to postpone it so we can attend church with this family!   We are so excited!   Being a missionary is so rewarding.

THE BLESSINGS OF THE GOSPEL

On Thursday we went to see Freddy---our less active who is now ACTIVE.    For 10 months he has struggled to regain his testimony and the light of the gospel.   He has made steady progress the last 3 months, but this week he preached the gospel TO US!!   He received his Priesthood Manual on Howard W. Hunter and had read the first 2 lessons.    He NEVER reads lessons, etc.    He has been so touched by the teachings of Pres. Hunter!!   We rejoiced to hear him share the messages he learned.   Isn't that what the gospel is all about?     I want to pass on Freddy's message that inspired me:   He shared the story about Peter walking on the water to meet the Savior.   Then he quoted the manual and said, "Peter did not GO to the Savior....He SPRANG TO THE SAVIOR.    Freddy said, "Members of the church must SPRING to their duties!"    Isn't that wonderful???   We continue to be taught by the people we meet.  

Freddy asked us to visit his Optometrist and tell her about the gospel.    We drove to her office and asked to see her.    We visited with her and shared information about the church and asked if we could visit her.   Unfortunately, she is moving, but we obtained her new address. Isn't it wonderful that a doctor would allow 2 Americans without an appointment to take her time and talk about Christ?!?  She explained that she WAS puzzled to see us, but allowed us to speak.

We know the Church of Jesus Christ is true.   It is the restored gospel.    We feel so privileged to be able to serve full time.  We love serving the people of South Africa.

Love,

Mom and Dad

Grandpa and Grandma

Elder and Sister Todd