OUR CUP RUNNETH....... 

"Our cup runneth over" is the only way to explain our feelings.    Some days my heart is bursting with joy and gratitude.  Joy is different than happiness and we have experienced both in South Africa.   The experiences we are having, would never happen in any other place, than on a mission.   We wake up every day grateful for another day to share our love of our Savior Jesus Christ and his mission.  Sharing the "Plan of Salvation" with the people of South Africa is like eating a brownie sundae with extra ice cream and hot fudge.   We have been able to do this day in and day out!   It has been a fabulous experience and we will be eternally grateful.

OVERWHELMED
Because I have not posted anything for 3 weeks, I feel overwhelmed as I try to decide where to begin.   I think I might begin at the end, instead of the beginning.  .   Every night we are working late, each day is packed full as we try to share our love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone possible.  I have lists on the desk, the kitchen table, my nightstand and on our calendar, noting  the special people that we need to visit before leaving.  

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

Esakhewini Branch invited us to a party in our honor on Friday night.   When we were 5 minutes away from the church, my phone rang and Namhla asked how far away we were.   I told her we were almost there.   She replied, "Well, don't hurry.   We are still fetching the key to get into the church!"   We almost died laughing.   It was such a fitting African farewell to arrive and find the building locked and no way to get in!   We did stop to visit a man who is not attending church but he was not home, so we headed over to the party to help them get ready.  

After the party, we drove away  humbled and grateful for these wonderful people.  They might not start on time, but the love they showed us surpassed anything we could imagine!  On the drive home, both of us were silent as we reflected on the evening.  

Four speakers paid tribute to us with such tender thoughts.  Next,  we were asked to speak but we could hardly say a thing after their generous remarks.   We sang hymns followed by a full dinner complete with a beautiful cake.   Dessert is not usually part of their dinners, but this was a special gift to us.   Last came the gifts.   Oh, the generosity and heartfelt appreciation they showered us with!.  Afterwards they still had a long walk home in the dark.   Most events here end while there is still time to get home before dark, but they stayed and stayed.   How could we be so blessed?

Notice my Zulu hat and necklace--gifts from these wonderful people along with much more!     You can't see the Zulu vest very well that they gave Elder Todd.

Our wonderful friends from Esikhaweni.

We love this quote from Jeffery R. Holland that they printed on the program for the evening:

Keep loving.  Keep trying.   Keep trusting.

Keep growing.

Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever. 

 

Early the next morning, we headed to Ngwelesane.   We knew something was up, but we were not sure what.  We picked up Praise and her mother and they directed us to President Zulu's home.   We found a dozen people already there, but people continued to arrive for the next hour and half.  Praise took me into the bedroom and dressed me in an African dress, jewelry and headdress!   Then she gave Elder Todd his shirt and bracelet.  She instructed us what to say (Zulu greeting) as we entered the room with the guests, and how we should act.   Elder Todd and I went "all out" and got into the Zulu spirit and whooped and chanted!   So fun.   They loved it.  We ate lunch and shared testimonies.   

Praise is turning 21 years old, just returned from a mission to Ghana, and organized the entire party herself!   She said to us, "I learned how to serve others and show thanks on my mission, and I wanted to do that for you."   Again, we were humbled by their love. 

Our Zulu entrance into the party!

My hat and dress, and Elder Todd's shirt are gifts from our friends in Ngwelesane.  The hat is called Inhloko, the dress is Isishweshwe and the necklace is umgexo.

Surrounded by friends!

Sunday the parties continued at the Enselini Branch, but this time we were the hosts.     We brought cones and ice cream for everyone,   We had 75 cones and so much ice cream!!!   They would eat the ice cream and half of the cone and bring the half eaten cone for an ice cream refill.  Some came back for 3-4 refills.      Elder Todd did all the scooping and they loved him!   

We both spoke in Sacrament meeting and I taught my last youth lesson.   These youth mean so much to us.   We pray they will remember and act upon the things they have been taught and know to be true.  

SEE YOU IN THE TEMPLE

Saturday, June 4th, we held our last District Young Women Activity.   The girls, ages 12-19, came from all 5 townships for a day of inspiration, role playing, uplifting videos and lunch.   We asked 2 of the girls to speak and share their thoughts on "Why it is important to keep yourself pure." and ""How can I prepare to attend the temple."  These young women spoke from their hearts with complete honesty and no "polish".  It was a blessing to be able to hear them.   Because I knew I would be busy with the program, I explained what I had planned for lunch and asked 2 African women in their early twenties, to set it up and have everything ready.  I couldn't believe my eyes....it was better than I would have done.   It is beginning to feel like they don't need us anymore....bitter and sweet.  

Lunch time!

They are "supposed" to be working in small groups to come up with solutions to a problem.  I tried to snap a picture, but if an African sees a camera, they immediately stop what they are doing and "pose." 

We gave each young women a beautiful mirror with the words:  See Yourself in the Temple and a picture of the future Durban South Africa temple.  We hope they each time they look in the mirror, they will keep themselves worthy to go to the temple.   They were so thrilled with this gift.

Some of our young women with their mirrors. 

TIME FOR A TUNEUP

It was time for our Toyota's regular 45,000 Kilometer service.   Elder Todd has "learned the system" for auto appointments and called 2 weeks ahead to make an appointment.   An appointment means:   He left at 5:45 a.m. and drove 40 minutes to the dealership.  When he arrived he was number 4 in line.   He sat at the dealership and waited until they finished with the car at 1:30 and he was home at 2:20 p.m!  An appointment means you are allowed to come and wait.   Without an appointment, you are not able to get in the lineup.   Luckily we did not have anything major or it takes days and days.  Fortunately, Elder Todd is willing to do this alone!    I was able to stay home and work on other things.  

SLEEPING POLICEMEN

Rarely have we seen a traffic policeman in South Africa.  There are 2 kinds of police:   traffic and crime.   Each is specialized and only functions in their own area.  So a crime policeman cannot stop anyone for traffic violations no matter how flagrant or dangerous.      However, the speed is controlled by speed bumps or what they call Sleeping Policemen.   These bumps come in 3 sizes and all are effective.   But the largest bumps  force even the most aggressive drive to almost come to a complete stop.   On major roads these bumps are so close together and keep you crawling at a slow speed.   These are a challenge for Elder Todd because on major roads, a driver must continually come to these stops.   Cars creep along for long stretches.  One road had many deaths per year until they put these speed bumps the entire length of the road.  

ENVIRONMENTALIST

Dung beetles play an important role in removing poop that is everywhere in the game parks.   When you have hundreds of enormous animals, they leave a mess behind.   These beetles are protected and our safari driver spied one in the road and went out of his way to avoid hurting it.   They carry dung larger than themselves, great distances and bury it!

Vehicles strictly obey this sign no matter how inconvenient.

Look at that chunk of dung the beetle is carrying. 

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

Two hours away is an amazing place that allows elephant interaction.   When I learned of it, I knew I needed to go   Elder Todd wasn't quite sold on it, but agreed to go.   Afterwards, we both agreed it was an incredible experience.   It is hard to comprehend how large and powerful these animals are.   There were 3 elephants and we were able to spend about 10 minutes with each one.   Our favorite was Rambo.

This was even more fun than it looks.   We were able to feel the heartbeat, reach into his mouth and feel the huge tongue and feed the elephant.   The power of their suction pulled on the sleeve of my shirt and I had to push my sleeves up.

SWAZILAND

We had an amazing opportunity to go to Swaziland.   It is a small country that borders South Africa.  It is only a 2 1/2 hour drive to the border crossing.  We were able to visit Ruth Berg Newman, her husband Rob and their 5 children.  Swazi people speak a language similar to Zulu and have many things in common.   Swazi people are very artistic and have used these skills to develop thriving businesses.   We were able to visit a glass factory and see beautiful glassware being made, and to watch candles being carved by hand in another city.  Ruth works at the American Embassy and is involved in women's issues in Swaziland.   She introduced us to businesses that sell handmade jewelry.   The jewelry is all made by local women and all of the profits go directly to them. Their pictures are posted on the wall.   It was interesting to visit these businesses and see the variety of crafts.

Traditional Swazi dancing

This traditional home has 3 skulls over the door indicating this family had slaughtered 3 cows that year. 

Typical scene as we drove along the road in Swaziland.

A wrong turn that turns out right......

We had planned to go to a nature reserve with Rob, but we took the wrong entrance.   It ended up to be a "good" mistake.   We visited the oldest mine in the world (according to them.)  .It has not been operating for years.   As we toured the museum we were asked to sign the visitors log and discovered only 5 people had been there in the last month!   Obviously, not a hot tourist attraction.   We hiked to the top of a lookout and to see the previous opening to the mine.  During this time we became friends with the guide and began talking about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.   In a nutshell, we arranged for the missionaries to visit him.  He specifically wants to read the Book of Mormon!  It is so WONDERFUL TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THE GOSPEL! We know this did not happen by chance.  

SO LONG TAYLORS

Another senior couple, the Taylors, stay with us once a month because their mission requires traveling to different areas for seminary and institute training.   They came the first weekend of the June, and we baked carrot cakes for a training they were putting on and stayed up way into the night sharing thoughts.   The next day, Elder Taylor and Elder Todd had work to do, so Sister Taylor and I went walking on the beach.  Elder Todd does not enjoy walking on the beach so he was thrilled that I had someone to walk with.   They left 3 days later for the United States.    It was sad to say goodbye. 

Our adventure is nearing an end.   Actually, Monday, our mission ends.   Then we will travel for 11 days before returning home.   I have only posted a few of our activities because of frustrating problems with the internet and our computer.   But we hope you feel how special the Zulu people are.   It will be very hard to say goodbye.    Luckily, we have the most wonderful family waiting for us at home!!!!    Can't wait to see them.  

Love,

Elder and Sister Todd