Africa in Perspective!
Just before we left on our mission, Connie and John Woodward, gave us this map of Africa. It is hard to grasp the vastness of this continent. As you can see, Africa is larger than the United States of America, India, the British Isles, Western Europe ,Argentina and CHINA combined!
Transfers
We had a wonderful gathering at our home on Saturday night so the missionaries could receive the "transfer" news. Every 6 weeks some elders are transferred and some remain for another transfer. Everyone is anxious to find out if they are staying or going. If they are being transferred, they are excited to hear who their new companion will be. The energy, enthusiasm and excitement in our home could be felt! We served dinner and then everyone gathered for the news. This time we had to say goodbye to 3 outstanding elders....which means that we receive 3 new elders! |
| Saying goodbye to Elders Benissan, Doney and Lisonbee. Usually we take a serious picture first and then a funny one. Elder Benissan (tongue sticking out) must have been mixed up. |
Still Learning the Medical System
Praise Hlatshiwayo just returned from serving a mission in Ghana for the past 18 months. She is 21 years old and from Ngwelesane, a local congregation. At the very end of her mission she began having seizures. The doctor recommended she get treatment in South Africa because she was returning home very soon. We were asked to assist her to get a complete medical workup to determine the proper diagnosis. This seemed like a straight forward task, but did not work out that way. We spent two days from 10-4:30 at the doctor's office and hospital in Richards Bay at a private hospital. We were able to get a CT scan but no one could read it locally for some unknown reason. They sent us off to Durban to a neurologist for a consultation the following week. After looking at the scan, the doctor decided to have Praise admitted to the hospital that day (Wednesday). Praise had no extra clothing, toothbrush, etc. However, the doctor informed us that getting a bed in the hospital was very difficult and often takes weeks.
This is how the system works: When the doctor determines you need to go to the hospital, he/she puts your name on a waiting list. On Friday afternoon after patients are discharged, they count the beds available. Then they call the appropriate number of names on the waiting list and inform them a bed is available. The patient has 2 hours to get to the hospital. Otherwise, they continue on down the waiting list until the beds are filled. However, the doctors and labs do NOT do tests on the weekend, so the patient just sits/sleeps in the hospital over the weekend. Occasionally, they still have vacancies on Mondays. So they repeat the procedure of giving you 2 hours to get to the hospital or you "lose" your bed. She said, this often goes on for weeks before you are admitted. Because we live over 2 hours away and drive an additional 35 minutes to pick up Praise, we asked Praise to go into the hospital while we were here. She was scared to death, but agreed.
Hospitals do not provide gowns, towels, soap,etc. Praise was wearing a fancy dress---her going to church and all occasion dress-up dress. We spent 3 1/2 hours waiting for her to be admitted. When we left her, she was sitting on top of the hospital bed with a long orange beaded dress and fancy sandals. She looked quite out of place. The lady in the bed next to her was screaming hysterically (They told us she needed meds but they couldn't get a hold of the doctor. This was the neurology ward.). We called the mission office senior couple and asked if they would bring Praise some clothing and toiletries the next day and they agreed. It was 9:00 pm when we headed home.
This is how the system works: When the doctor determines you need to go to the hospital, he/she puts your name on a waiting list. On Friday afternoon after patients are discharged, they count the beds available. Then they call the appropriate number of names on the waiting list and inform them a bed is available. The patient has 2 hours to get to the hospital. Otherwise, they continue on down the waiting list until the beds are filled. However, the doctors and labs do NOT do tests on the weekend, so the patient just sits/sleeps in the hospital over the weekend. Occasionally, they still have vacancies on Mondays. So they repeat the procedure of giving you 2 hours to get to the hospital or you "lose" your bed. She said, this often goes on for weeks before you are admitted. Because we live over 2 hours away and drive an additional 35 minutes to pick up Praise, we asked Praise to go into the hospital while we were here. She was scared to death, but agreed.
Hospitals do not provide gowns, towels, soap,etc. Praise was wearing a fancy dress---her going to church and all occasion dress-up dress. We spent 3 1/2 hours waiting for her to be admitted. When we left her, she was sitting on top of the hospital bed with a long orange beaded dress and fancy sandals. She looked quite out of place. The lady in the bed next to her was screaming hysterically (They told us she needed meds but they couldn't get a hold of the doctor. This was the neurology ward.). We called the mission office senior couple and asked if they would bring Praise some clothing and toiletries the next day and they agreed. It was 9:00 pm when we headed home.
The next day we called the doctor and she informed us they had done an MRI but could not do the EG. I asked why and she said that Praise is wearing a wig and they cannot attach the sensors (or whatever they are called) to her scalp. I asked why they didn't just remove the wig. She asked me if I understood African wigs and I replied in the negative. Well, this wig had been braided into Praise's real hair---every strand of hair was woven into the wig (not a hairpiece). So.....they had arranged for a nurse who specializes in hair removal to come to the hospital the next day! I couldn't believe that medical procedures were delayed for a wig!!!!!
The following day, they completed all the tests and we drove down to pick up Praise (No wig.) On the way home, I asked her if she could have the wig attached to her hair again. She said, that the wig could be put back on BUT the hospital staff said they had thrown the hair away. She begged to go get it from the trash, but they said it was too late. She said, that stealing hair in the hospital is not uncommon and nothing can be done. These are just a few highlights. It was an interesting experience. We must return in two months.
The following day, they completed all the tests and we drove down to pick up Praise (No wig.) On the way home, I asked her if she could have the wig attached to her hair again. She said, that the wig could be put back on BUT the hospital staff said they had thrown the hair away. She begged to go get it from the trash, but they said it was too late. She said, that stealing hair in the hospital is not uncommon and nothing can be done. These are just a few highlights. It was an interesting experience. We must return in two months.
Double Duty
The same day that we picked up Praise to drive her to the neurologist in Durban, we also picked up Mpho Ziqubu and took her to the mission office in Durban. She was leaving to serve a mission in Zimbabwe. She has no living parents, as I have mentioned before, and we felt so grateful to be able to drive her to Durban and tell her goodbye. Her sister and brother-in-law do not have a car and do not have the money to get to Durban (and could not be gone the entire day). Another faithful, worthy young woman to serve the Lord!
Inanda Heritage Trail
We had the opportunity to travel the Inanda Heritage Trail, with 3 other couples. We hired a knowledgeable guide to accompany us and his commentary added so much. As you know, Apartheid ended in 1994. Several courageous men helped bring this about and changed the future of South Africa. We visited some of the places where some of these changes took place.
We were grateful to learn about several white and black men who helped make this possible. We love reading everything in these museums, but it was so hot, that we didn't linger as long as usual.
 |
| This is where Nelson Mandela cast his historic vote for freedom but we are blocking your view of the ballot box! Senior couples: Sorensens from Arizona, Nielsens from Utah, Stevensons from California and us. |
The first government house built for the black township.
In 1958, the"township" system was developed in South Africa. The blacks were force to move to certain areas and were given a home. These were some of the very first homes. This township is still "operational" but people are free to move, set up businesses, schools, churches or whatever they choose. Many people have moved to other areas, but many have remained and built larger homes. During Apartheid, there were separate townships for Blacks, Indians and Coloreds (mixed black and Indian). Although people can move anywhere they choose, there are still many townships based on race today.
This heritage trail was a good reminder of the price of freedom. Freedom is not free!
Living in the Lap of Luxury
Our refrigerator finally died. The milk has been warm and nothing from the refrigerator was chilled. There were very few choices---either very nice or very small. The mission said they would buy a "large" frig because we cook for large crowds on a regular basis. The day after we purchased it, we completely filled the freezer and refrigerator with food for our youth event. It was such a blessing to have it! This refrigerator has all the upgrades but with a different twist! It has an "automatic icemaker". That means it has 3 small ice trays that you manually dump into the ice bin! But we have ice so we feel very spoiled. It also has a "water dispenser" in the door of the refrigerator. I was appalled that we were getting something that was so unnecessary, but all the large models had this feature. When we checked closely, we discovered that you must pour the water into the reservoir of the door.......then you can get water. The reservoir holds under 2 liters of water and is very inconvenient to fill so we just use regular water and that is perfect!
More About Hair
All over the world, women are concerned about their hair. It is no different here. The Zulu women have hair that doesn't grow well. We were informed that their hair will only grow about 5 inches long. I do not know about that. But I do know that all women we have meet wear wigs, unless their hair is shaved short. Even those with short corn-row braids, have extra hair woven into their braids. The women in this picture are all wearing wigs or hair extensions. I told them why I was
taking their picture and they were happy to show off their hair-dos.
Geckos are everywhere! We noticed this one on our windshield while we were driving. It hung on for a 30 minute ride going 120 km/75mph and arrived home safely!
Perfect Day!
Sunday night we were driving home at 9 pm, in the dark, in the rain and wind, and with people passing us with NO headlights/tail lights/brake lights. Driving in these conditions is very stressful and Elder Todd dislikes it very much. But suddenly he said, "This has been a perfect day!" He had such a warm feeling in his voice and I agreed with him. Let me VERY briefly describe our day.
We woke up at 6:30 and hurried to get ready for church, Elder Todd reviewed his talk and I reviewed the lesson we would be teaching later. We threw fruit, cereal, juice and milk on the table for the Taylors (who are staying here for one night) and us for breakfast. We visited and gobbled the food at the same time (bad manners but a necessity today). We loaded pictures, computer, speakers, extension cords and adapters, Bibles, Books of Mormon, a whiteboard and markers, DVDs to pass out, and applications for a youth activity into the car. (We did forget a few things.) We pulled away at 8:15 and headed for Port Durnford where Elder Todd was speaking in Sacrament Meeting. He spoke on Malachi 3:8-10. Grab your bibles and reread this familiar scripture. The blessings from paying tithing are amazing! It was another great reminder of how the Lord wants to bless each of us.
Next we headed to Ngwelesane to teach a Temple Preparation class. We meet in a very small teacher's lounge in an elementary school. No air conditioning or fans---except the paper that I am waving to create a breeze. What a wonderful feeling was present! As I reflected on the blessings of the temple, I was so grateful. They asked so many questions that the lesson went longer than expected. We showed a video on the computer and used the whiteboard for our teaching.
We arrived home at the same time as the Taylors, so I fixed tuna sandwiches and Elder Todd made grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. We added chips and apples and 1 hour later we were on our way by 4:00. Elder Todd had a meeting with the District Presidency and I sat in the hall and reviewed our next lesson. At 6:15 pm we left and headed to Kwambonambi to teach a first discussion to a family, the Van Bredas. We have presented a Family Home Evening lesson to them. They have 7 and 11 year old boys and live quite a ways out. We taught them the Plan of Salvation with cut outs and pictures. The father was not interested, but the rest of the family participated. Before we left we played "Buckle Buckle Beanstalk" and "Hot and Cold". We all joined in and had so much fun. We scheduled another appointment for next Sunday and they invited us to dinner.
I agree....this was a perfect day!
We appreciate your prayers and messages. It helps us more than you know. We are grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ. We feel his guidance and help each day as we struggle to find the best way to serve.
Love,
Elder and Sister Todd
In 1958, the"township" system was developed in South Africa. The blacks were force to move to certain areas and were given a home. These were some of the very first homes. This township is still "operational" but people are free to move, set up businesses, schools, churches or whatever they choose. Many people have moved to other areas, but many have remained and built larger homes. During Apartheid, there were separate townships for Blacks, Indians and Coloreds (mixed black and Indian). Although people can move anywhere they choose, there are still many townships based on race today.
This heritage trail was a good reminder of the price of freedom. Freedom is not free!
Living in the Lap of Luxury
Our refrigerator finally died. The milk has been warm and nothing from the refrigerator was chilled. There were very few choices---either very nice or very small. The mission said they would buy a "large" frig because we cook for large crowds on a regular basis. The day after we purchased it, we completely filled the freezer and refrigerator with food for our youth event. It was such a blessing to have it! This refrigerator has all the upgrades but with a different twist! It has an "automatic icemaker". That means it has 3 small ice trays that you manually dump into the ice bin! But we have ice so we feel very spoiled. It also has a "water dispenser" in the door of the refrigerator. I was appalled that we were getting something that was so unnecessary, but all the large models had this feature. When we checked closely, we discovered that you must pour the water into the reservoir of the door.......then you can get water. The reservoir holds under 2 liters of water and is very inconvenient to fill so we just use regular water and that is perfect!
More About Hair
All over the world, women are concerned about their hair. It is no different here. The Zulu women have hair that doesn't grow well. We were informed that their hair will only grow about 5 inches long. I do not know about that. But I do know that all women we have meet wear wigs, unless their hair is shaved short. Even those with short corn-row braids, have extra hair woven into their braids. The women in this picture are all wearing wigs or hair extensions. I told them why I was
taking their picture and they were happy to show off their hair-dos.
Geckos are everywhere! We noticed this one on our windshield while we were driving. It hung on for a 30 minute ride going 120 km/75mph and arrived home safely!
Perfect Day!
Sunday night we were driving home at 9 pm, in the dark, in the rain and wind, and with people passing us with NO headlights/tail lights/brake lights. Driving in these conditions is very stressful and Elder Todd dislikes it very much. But suddenly he said, "This has been a perfect day!" He had such a warm feeling in his voice and I agreed with him. Let me VERY briefly describe our day.
We woke up at 6:30 and hurried to get ready for church, Elder Todd reviewed his talk and I reviewed the lesson we would be teaching later. We threw fruit, cereal, juice and milk on the table for the Taylors (who are staying here for one night) and us for breakfast. We visited and gobbled the food at the same time (bad manners but a necessity today). We loaded pictures, computer, speakers, extension cords and adapters, Bibles, Books of Mormon, a whiteboard and markers, DVDs to pass out, and applications for a youth activity into the car. (We did forget a few things.) We pulled away at 8:15 and headed for Port Durnford where Elder Todd was speaking in Sacrament Meeting. He spoke on Malachi 3:8-10. Grab your bibles and reread this familiar scripture. The blessings from paying tithing are amazing! It was another great reminder of how the Lord wants to bless each of us.
Next we headed to Ngwelesane to teach a Temple Preparation class. We meet in a very small teacher's lounge in an elementary school. No air conditioning or fans---except the paper that I am waving to create a breeze. What a wonderful feeling was present! As I reflected on the blessings of the temple, I was so grateful. They asked so many questions that the lesson went longer than expected. We showed a video on the computer and used the whiteboard for our teaching.
We arrived home at the same time as the Taylors, so I fixed tuna sandwiches and Elder Todd made grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. We added chips and apples and 1 hour later we were on our way by 4:00. Elder Todd had a meeting with the District Presidency and I sat in the hall and reviewed our next lesson. At 6:15 pm we left and headed to Kwambonambi to teach a first discussion to a family, the Van Bredas. We have presented a Family Home Evening lesson to them. They have 7 and 11 year old boys and live quite a ways out. We taught them the Plan of Salvation with cut outs and pictures. The father was not interested, but the rest of the family participated. Before we left we played "Buckle Buckle Beanstalk" and "Hot and Cold". We all joined in and had so much fun. We scheduled another appointment for next Sunday and they invited us to dinner.
I agree....this was a perfect day!
We appreciate your prayers and messages. It helps us more than you know. We are grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ. We feel his guidance and help each day as we struggle to find the best way to serve.
Love,
Elder and Sister Todd
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