The Best Feeling! Surprise!

Decembere 24, 2015

Greetings to our Wonderful Friends and family,

We (mostly me, but Elder Todd helped with the dishes..and there were many) decided to make cookies and candy and take them around to people we love.   I ended up being very creative with substitutions for candy making.      I actually went online and "googled"  to find how to make Karo Syrup and caramel  and many other things.   The candy didn't taste the same, but it was close enough.  We also made sugar cookies and frosted dozens and dozens.    Now I know why most people don't bake or make candy for Christmas in South Africa---it is too hot to have your oven on!!!!!   Our landlady thought I was crazy, but I was determined to deliver Christmas goodies.   Of course, I was sampling the goodies and eating more than my share.  

Many of the people are not used to super sweet things like fudge, truffles,etc., so I wasn't sure if they would like it.   However, they all smacked their lips and asked me to bring them more (not until the weather is much cooler).    We loved visiting with people and sharing a Christmas message.   We were able to share several Christmas videos and felt the true meaning of Christmas. 

I imagine that all of you are very hustling and bustling with all the Christmas preparations.  We are striving to help people focus on our Savior Jesus Christ.   It has been interesting to experience the "Spirit of Christmas" in South Africa.   The feeling is very different here.    Very few homes (even with small children) have a Christmas tree or any decorations.     Those that have trees, have 3 foot trees.   The emphasis is on big parties with lots of food and lots of drinking.   People are planning  braiis (bar-b-ques) and going to the beach (remember it has been over 100 degrees and very humid).   Many people return to the "land of their birth" for the "festive season" as it is called here.    We have seldom heard the word "Christmas" by anyone.   In fact, families often send their children to a relative in another city for the festive season if there is not enough money for the entire family to travel. 

Church attendance has been way down!   If people do not go out of town, they stay at home and take a "holiday" from church, work, obligations etc.   Last Sunday, Elder Todd and I were asked to give the sermons at church.    There were only15 people, including us.  It was empty.   We were wondering if it was because they heard we were speaking (ha) but then we remembered that we had only been asked to speak the night before--so no one knew we were the program. 

THE BEST FEELING

No matter where you live, or what time of year, the best feeling comes from focusing on other people.   We have been so blessed to be able to do that!!!!!    We hope we have been able to brighten lives, lift burdens and share the joy of Jesus Christ.   But WE have been blessed as well.  It is hard to describe the feeling of gratitude that washes over me several times each day.   I will briefly share what happened one day.   (It is so hard for me to be brief because I want to share every detail of our work here.)

Elder Todd and I were driving to Enselini to visit the Alvanas.   They do not consider it a "visit" unless you stay AT LEAST one and a half hours.    If you pop in for 10 minutes, they do NOT feel that you visited them.   We had many things we felt we needed to do that Friday and we said to ourselves, "We will NOT stay more than one hour."   However, as we sat outside talking, it seemed like this family was our own family!   We enjoyed hearing every detail of the past week.   We sat and discussed random things. We also showed 4 short videos and they loved them.  So we showed the same ones again.    I looked at my watch a few times and ignored what I saw.   Finally, after 2 1/2 hours they said, "You probably need to go see someone else."   We were so HAPPY we had stayed and given our full time and attention to this wonderful family.

We left and drove back to town to visit a part member family, Freddy and Asha.   We had the exact same experience here.....2 1/2 hours of heart- felt visiting.  They have many issues that they repeat over and over and over.   But we did not feel impatient.   we listened carefully.   We showed a few videos here also.   They have 6 grown children that live nearby but they are still "lonely" and hungry for inspirational messages.  

We headed for home, realizing we had not accomplished much on our "To-Do" list.  Yet, we felt so filled with happiness!   Then we had a thought to go visit Bongi, who just finished all his cancer treatments.   His wife just joined, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but he is not interested.    He was semi-interested in letting us stop by, but agreed to let us come for only a few minutes.    Well, he shared so many of his feelings and struggles.   His wife had been feeling overwhelmed with the financial/emotional burdens of cancer.    As we prayed together, shared their burdens and shared a thought, we all felt peaceful.   They had us stay for over an hour. 

When we finally left, we felt exhausted and exhilarated for the friendships we have made here.   There is no better feeling!

SURPRISE.....but more than one person was surprised.  

The following Saturday we attended a surprise party for Bongi.    Because it was a surprise, we felt we needed to be on time.  We left a practice for a Christmas program early, and drove to the party at 5:00 as instructed.    We were the ONLY ones there and we didn't dare go up to their apartment and ruin the surprise.   At 5:30 one other person arrives.   At 7:00 others arrive.   There is a pool for this apartment complex and we are sitting around the pool waiting for the guest of honor.  At about 8:00 the party begins.  At 8:45, Elder Todd stands up and is talking to some people.   He takes a step backwards, and falls backwards into the swimming pool!    He is fully dressed in his suit pants, white shirt, tie, dress shoes, etc.   I see a big splash and realize my companion is thrashing about in the pool!   It would have been no big deal, except he twisted his knee as he fell.   He has been limping and in pain for the past 6 days.   He is putting ice on  it when he can.   

But maybe even worse, is his iphone was ruined.    We have had the iphone for 5 months and it makes our work so much easier---texting is much easier and we can hear better on the phone.     We even took it to a repair shop in Durban when we went for our mission party.
 Oh well!    The challenges of modern technology.

CHRISTMAS WITH THE MISSION

Another way to feel the Christmas spirit is to join with 110 young missionaries, 6 senior couples and our mission president and his wife.

All of the missionaries within a 4 hour drive came to Durban for a Christmas Party hosted by our mission president.     They repeated this party on the other side of the mission for the 30 missionaries and senior couples that live 5-11 hours away.   Each missionary zone sang a Christmas carol and presented a Christmas message.   President Zachrison shared powerful insights on the Savior, we had a catered meal (Yipee!   No cooking and no dishes!!!).    The spirit filled the room.   What a treat to see these 18-21 year old boys/men sacrificing so much to share the message of Jesus Christ.    So many of them have never been away from home before----especially at Christmas.    It was supposed to go from 11 am- 3pm but it lasted until 5:30.   So many of these missionaries are in isolated places and this was a chance for them to gather with other missionaries. 

We testify that Jesus Christ lives.   He is our Savior.    He is the "reason for the season".   He is "The Gift" to every person who will ever live.

Merry Christmas,

Elder and Sister Todd

Grandma and Grandpa

Mom and Dad

Nana and Papa

Miss You!

December 13, 2015

Hello to the Best Family,

Just time for a quick note to tell you we miss you.    Christmas pictures, Christmas Dances, Drivers Permits, dance lessons, American Ninja Warrior, preschool, Hobbitt Legos, trips to the zoo with accidents, getting  Christmas trees, new home construction,  making cookies and neighborhood service projects....we miss it all.    I find myself looking for an email and pictures every day because I know what a busy and fun season this is for families.   

There is so little mention of Christmas here.   As I mentioned, the stores were filled with decorations to buy for your home by October 1.    But there are no carolers, Christmas displays, decorations in the streets, Santas in the mall, Christmas activities or movies. etc.    People only discuss parties, drinking and "going to the place of my birth" (home).  We have discovered that most people do not know any of the Christmas carols.   That makes it very different...especially at church.   They are trying to sing one a week.  We spend a great deal of time driving all over 4 townships and 2 cities but we have only seen 2 outdoor lights on homes!   But maybe it is just  too hot to even do anything like that!

Love mom

It only took 11 months!!!!!

December 3, 2015

Dear Friends and Family,

It only took 11 months---but I might have started a blog.   By that I mean, I wrote the blog a week ago but when I went to edit "it had disappeared!"    I tried again--doing it again.   Again, I couldn't find it.   Today, I found 2 copies on the blog.    I am not sure what is happening, but I am happy that somehow they "appeared" today.   So I am going to send the link to the blog and hope it is there when you opened it.  

I wanted to add the following paragraph but couldn't "edit" the blog.   so I will quickly give it here.    Then go check out our blog----while it is there.    I hope to add to the blog every other week.

While I was watching the wildlife from the deck,  Elder Todd ran back to our room to get something.   On the edge of path going to our room he saw a Spitting Cobra that was "standing up" ready to strike/spit.     Larry was walking close to another couple.   They all  froze.  The snake did not strike.   Eventually the snake "came down" from the striking position and they all left.    Wisely, Elder Todd did NOT mention this to me when he returned.    The next morning the other couple shared this experience with our ranger and me and gave a detailed description of the snake and the adventure.

Our blog:

Toddinsouthafrica.blogspot.co.za

I hope it works!

Thanks for putting up with our letters and my lack of technology!

Love,

Elder and Sister Todd

Mom and Dad

"Party" for Orphans, Southeast Africa Broadcast from SLC

November 30, 2015

Dear Family,

You probably did not want to hear from me again so soon.   It is P-Day,  Larry is not feeling great (he has allergies and sinus problems), the laundry is done (but the house is not clean).  I have sprayed the shower walls and floor with bleach, sprayed for cockroaches, sprinkled poison for ants (usual Monday chores), cleaned the bathroom and eaten 1/3 of a chocolate sheet cake (no exaggeration).    It is too hot to go for a walk, so I decided to write.

Saturday we left home at 7:30 am to work at a Christmas Party for an orphanage.   One of the branch presidents heard about the chance to help out 100 orphans in the township where he lives.   He asked if all 10 elders could attend so we received permission from the mission president.   We arrived at the meeting place at 8:00 but the branch president  wasn't there.   In fact we were the first to arrive.   In the next 30 minutes a few branch members (2) and all the missionaries arrived...but still no branch president.   We called Pres. Nyawo and he said he was at the store waiting for the donuts.   He had ordered 150 donuts for the orphans---he was paying $15 of his personal money and the mission was paying $15.   President Nyawo works, goes to night school studying law, has 4 small children and is supporting his wife's 2 sisters.  This was a big sacrifice for his family.   The donuts were supposed to be done at 8:00 and he arrived at 7:00 to pick them up.   Good thing.....the donuts were not being made even though he had paid for them in advance.    Pres. Nyawo does not have a car so we wondered how he could manage to get 150 donuts to the orphans.   We went to pick him up and we waited until 9:45 for the donuts to be finished.   Then we headed back to see who needed "transport".   We were all disappointed that only one more branch member had arrived.   We headed to the orphanage (it is now 10:15) with our car packed and the missionaries cars full.   We could not find the place and kept driving around.   Pres. Nyawo had lost his phone with all his "contact numbers" , so he couldn't call for more directions to the orphanage.   We did find 2 orphanages, but neither one was the right one!!    Finally we arrived at the correct destination, and only a few people were there.   At 12:00 the orphans finally arrived.   We had  planned to do some games and I had bought face paints so the youth from the branch could do face painting.
  

Instead, the organizers had the orphans sit in plastic chairs under the tent.    It was hot and the tent cover was sitting on a cement pad, in the middle of a barren gravel field....desolate.    I began trying to think how we could adapt our games to work in this area...rocks and cement.   The organizers had rented a small blow-up jump house----very small---for 4-5 kids, but I was excited for that.  

But it didn't matter, the kids sat on the chairs and listened to speeches from the mayor, orphanage founders, and event organizers.    They sat there the entire afternoon.   A few times, they ran off to get their face painted and stood in huge lines, but they got called back for more speeches.   Luckily, they did have a good MC between each speech and he sang and involved the kids and got them to sing.  

But we stood there, most of the time.   After awhile, we pulled out all of our hula hoops, ring toss and other activities and invited the kids over.  For 15 minutes they had a ball.   The one young woman from the branch and Elder Pinkston (who loves art) painted faces.  At the same time, 50 kids piled on the jump house and it kept falling over.  I wondered why we hadn't been doing these things all afternoon?

At 2:45 we had to leave for another appointment and so did the elders (they were tired of just standing around most of the time).   We had to leave before the donuts were passed out (and other food we brought). We really wanted to be able to greet each child and give them the food.   When we left, the speeches were going strong again!!!    Poor kids....this was THEIR CHRISTMAS PARTY!!!!!!

This is the first time we have felt that our efforts were wasted.   However, the branch president felt that the church had shown great support for the community so he felt good.  It was a longgggggg day of standing. 

Sunday we drove to Ngwelesane where we showed a DVD of the broadcast from SLC for the Africa Southeast Area.   Actually, the branch presidents are supposed to download it from SLC but the internet connection is weak and inconsistent so they couldn't do it.   Also they need a projector to show the video and we have to bring them a projector from the district.  

The message was fabulous.    There were 2 Quorum of the 12 (Quentin Cook and Renlund--new apostle), a member of the primary general presidency and our area authority, Elder Cook.   Two of these men have lived in Africa for several years and have a good understanding of the people and a love for them.   I thought that was wonderful....because even though the gospel is the same, circumstances are so very different.

They talked on:   Paying tithing (very few members pay), keeping the sabbath day holy, using the sacrament to change your life and the power/equality of African women.  

After the video concluded, Larry, asked the congregation what they learned or remembered, or what touched them.   Complete silence.   He waited and rephrased the question.   Silence.    Finally a 13 year old girl stood and boldly shared what she learned.   It was so powerful!!   Elder Todd asked for more comments and eventually got 2 others to comment.   We don't know if they don't understand the broadcast or if they are reluctant to speak out.   But this young woman was an example to everyone....she is going to be a leader in the church!     

The talk on the power and equality of women was very good.   Zulu women do 95% of all the work, but they are always in the background and don't seem to be valued.  They don't speak up much.   They are faithful and hard working.  

We left right after showing the broadcast, and drove like crazy to another branch that was having a "bring and share" (pot luck) after their meeting.    However, when we arrived, there were 30 primary children, 2 grandmas and  5 teens.   All the adults left because there wasn't much food!      We brought out our food and what the elders brought (an individual bag of chips and a package of cookies that had 8 cookies).   The people who went home had brought  bottles of soda pop and they left them.   There was plenty to drink.   We were so disappointed that the adults had not stayed to visit or participate.   But those that were there loved it!   We brought a huge watermelon and 2 loaves of french bread.   Sure wish I had brought more.  

We love each of you.   Thank you so much for your emails and prayers.    We can't adequately express our love and appreciation for each of you.   We pray that you will have the Lord's choicest blessings.

Each day, we realize more how blessed we are to have the gospel of Jesus Christ.   

Love,
 Mom and Dad

Gma and Gpa

How long is long enough??? Can't Stay Away!

Greetings to our Wonderful Friends and Family,

Since October 1st,  the shelves in the stores have been filled with Christmas decorations of every kind....lights, wreaths, Christmas ornaments, etc.   By the third week in October, the Christmas gifts were filling the shelves.   When store decorations appeared October 1st, I was shocked at how early it was.   Elder Todd suggested that because we do not celebrate Halloween or Thanksgiving here, they just get an early start.     It is hard to think of Christmas when it was over 100 degrees.    Then we saw a sign in a store window:   The Sun is Shining.....It is Christmas!   So we just have to change our mindset.

HOW LONG IS LONG ENOUGH????

Friday, we had an appointment to visit the Alvana family.   Another blessing of our mission is to develop friendships with wonderful people.   We arrived at the Alvana's at 3:15 and visited until 5:30 .  As we got up to leave, the family was very upset.   They announced that we "had just arrived" and said we had "not had a visit."   We explained that we had another appointment at 6:00 in another town.   However, they felt this was a weak excuse.   

We try to allow enough time to really visit and get to know people, but each family wants us to stay all day every day so it is challenging.  

We made it to our next appointment which was a birthday party for someone we are teaching.   It was a large gathering for the entire extended family and it was held in a tiny home.   They had a nice patio in front of the house but it was pouring rain.   There was a small covering and we all huddled together inside and outside the house.   I had brought lots of ice cream, hot fudge, bananas and whip cream to serve hot fudge sundaes.   But that was impossible because there was not one place to put it together or dish up the dessert.  There was PLENTY of other food so no one missed it.   It was a good reminder that we do not need a large house to host a large party for friends---just squeeze together.   Most of the people attending were not members of our church, or any church, so we had many opportunities to share our testimony of Jesus Christ

TO THE RESCUE?

While we were at the birthday party, the District President called Elder Todd and asked if we could provide breakfast for 20 people the next morning. They were going to do a training for the branch presidents/ministers.     He had forgotten to make arrangements for food and needed "to be rescued" (those were his words.)

So we came home from the birthday party and I began making muffins...lots of muffins.   Because it was so late, we decided to buy the other stuff---breakfast rolls, bananas, apples, watermelon and juices.  We had so much food left over...but it was a good thing as I will explain later.

NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING

While Elder Todd was attending the financial training, I attended an emergency neighborhood meeting.   As I have mentioned before, safety is a huge concern here---for your property and your physical well being,   Two months ago, they hired 2 guards that patrol 24/7 and they set up some sort of group chat so people could report suspicious people or ask questions...this is in addition to the metal gates and security systems that most homes have.
  However, just a few days ago a woman had her car hijacked one block from our home.   The woman was shot, but she will be fine. She was stopping to pick up her child at the neighborhood creche (daycare center) when a man with a gun stopped her.    We  heard all of the commotion and had seen the police cars but we weren't aware of what had happened.   They are asking for each resident of our neighborhood to pay more money each month for more guards. 

CAN'T STAY AWAY

After being in charge of the Young Adult (Singles Ages 18-30) activities for months, they asked someone else to be in charge.   We felt ready to pass the baton to someone else.   But Saturday afternoon we decided to just stop by for a few minutes and see if they needed any help.    We discoveredWE LOVE WORKING WITH THE YOUNG ADULTS and missed seeing them.  On our way to the activity, 2 young adults called and asked to be picked up at the Taxi Rank.   After people ride the taxi into town they are dropped at the Taxi Rank, but it is still another 30-35 minute walk to the church.  We  stopped first at the church and discovered that no one had the keys to get inside the gate or the building. (We are discovering that people often forget small details....like keys to get into the building!)   Elder Todd quickly unlocked everything and then drove to pick up the group at the taxi rank.    These youth are very laid back, and no one worries if things are late...even hours late!   As we helped get the activities set up, we found out that no one had thought of refreshments.   By that I mean, no one had thought to purchase or make food---but everyone would be expectingfood.   Luckily, we had food left from the morning training so we brought that out.   They played the game Twister (no one had ever played that) and another African game that we were not familiar with.   I was supposed to be the score keeper, and Elder Todd was the judge but everyone was yelling (being so enthusiastic) in Zulu and we had no idea who won the point or what the rules were, so we just enjoyed the chaos.   

We stayed to lock up the building, supervise the cleanup and the drive groups to the Taxi Rank to go home.   We don't know who was supposed to be there to help, but we had so much fun and were glad we stopped by. 

WHAT A DEAL!

Today we took a young man to get a blood test at the hospital.   It cost R15, which is 15 cents in US money.   When is the last time you were able to get any blood work done for 15 cents??!!!   This is a young man we are help preparing to serve a mission. 

WOMEN OF COURAGE

Our church has been looking for an opportunity to join with another church to help give service.   A senior missionary couple in Durban heard of the Jewish Women's Union and their fundraiser.    We wanted to be a part of that effort.   Eight women from all faiths, were selected to come share their story of how they overcame adversity in their life.   Each women had suffered unbelievable hardships and had survived and triumphed!   What inspiration.  One woman was missing both legs (not even stumps) and one arm.   Her mother had taken a morning sickness drug, thalidomide,  while she was pregnant.     Later they discovered this drug caused birth defects and that is why she had 3 missing limbs.   She was put in a boarding school at 5 years old where she was teased constantly.   The staff asked her parents to not come and visit her because it made her want to go home.  She had no idea why her parents left her and never came to get her for years.  She felt abandoned for the next two decades.   Her story was heartbreaking and eventually, inspirational.   She has no artificial legs because of lack of medical treatment so she scoots around on her bottom or uses small crutches.             Another woman was a refugee from another country, another was sexually abused by her father, etc.   You get the picture.   Afterwards, they challenged everyone to begin today to:   DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF.  Step off the treadmill of life.   Get in touch with your inner flame, and become a woman of courage.   I thought it was a great message.

We have had so many opportunities to serve people of all ages.   We try to share our message as we do so.  We feel so blessed to live in such a wonderful country.  We will never forget these amazing people.

I have so much more to share, but I know you are ready to hit "Delete" if you haven't already.   Last night was our last night teaching our religion class in Enselini, until January (it is their summer break.)    We decided to have a party after a short lesson. We brought soda pop (They LOVE it!), ice cream, bananas (bananas are a MUST), and all the stuff to make strawberry shortcake.   They had never seen or tasted it.   I showed them the cake, strawberries, blueberries, whip cream.  They LOVED it....they had me make them larger and larger.   We had white cake or chocolate cake and they wanted layers of both.    They took pictures of the strawberry shortcake and us and posted them on facebook!   Such a simple thing....building a strawberry shortcake was a thrilling event.    Can you see why we love these wonderful people????  We brought plates and forks and napkins.   One young man said, "I will never forget this day.   I am using a fork, a serviette (napkin) and eating shortcake.   I am turning into an American!"  We can't wait until January, when our classes start up again!

   If you are sending out Christmas cards or letters, we would love to hear from you via email or mail.   Our mailing address is:  

Elder and Sister Todd

P.O. Box 101907

Meerensee   3901

South Africa

We know Jesus Christ lives.   We know His gospel is the way to happiness.   We are grateful to be able to serve him full time.  

Love,

Elder and Sister Todd

Grandma and Grandpa

Mom and Dad

Todd's On Safari

We are serving an 18 month mission in South Africa for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.    It has been the most rewarding, exhilarating, uplifting, exhausting experience. Most days we feel happy, but on a few days we have felt discouraged and wondered if we are making a difference.
Two things are certain:   First and foremost, we love our Savior, Jesus Christ, and feel privileged to share His message.   Second, we love the people of South Africa.   
 We have been serving for 10 months and I finally decided to try adding pictures to a blog.   I have been writing letters to friends and family, but have not sent many pictures.

We are really on Safari!   Can you believe it?   I can't!    We had a fabulous 2 days staying at a very nice Safari Lodge.   Our first morning our wake up call was at 5:00 AM and we departed at 5:30 AM.   They served a light breakfast at 5:15 and 15 minutes later we were on our way.   There were 2 couples, our driver/ranger and our tracker.   Our vehicle was an open air jeep.   It was cold (for me) and I was grateful I was wearing 4 layers including 2 coats....Larry had on one medium jacket.   We had only been driving 5 minutes when we spied 2 cheetahs...this was very unusual. These cheetahs were sooo close.    In a few minutes, they noticed a Nyala (glad they didn't notice us) and began their pursuit.   Just as they were about to have the Nyala for lunch, it stepped into a dense thicket and the cheetahs were kept away.   We waited for 10 minutes, and finally left with the result of the encounter unknown.   Cheetahs only hunt in the open where their speed makes them formidable.   But the Nyala was able to out maneuver the cheetah and find protection.   We are learning that Mother Nature is complex and fascinating. 

We continued on our way searching for more animals.   This game reserve has one lodge which can accommodate 20 people but there were only 6 of us today.   So ours was the only vehicle out on safari.  

After 2 hours we stopped and our guides served us a light snack, complete with table linens.   They set up the table right next to the vehicle so we can make a quick getaway if needed.   

We have fallen in love with giraffes.   They are so elegant and graceful.   This baby was less than a week old.
In Africa, most people on safari are searching for "The Big Five"--elephant, rhino, cape buffalo, lion and leopard.   These are the hardest to hunt and kill.   However, we love the giraffes, zebras and nyalas equally.  

Oops!  This pic is in the wrong place but I can't move it. ...Snack Time.

The most thrilling part of the day came next!   Our tracker was able to detect signs of elephants.   He continued following the signs with no luck.   So we stopped for this breakfast snack while he searched on foot.   He returned and we jumped back into the vehicle and headed off.   Ten minutes later, we were rewarded with an incredible experience.
We have been in Game Preserves in our own car--where you drive and search for animals on your own.   You stay on dirt (or paved) roads and do not go off-road.    But on these private safaris the guides go off road and will do anything to find the animals.   Also, they "break" the rules and go very close to the animals.   This is not recommended and is dangerous...but these places do everything to please the guests.

You can see how close they are to our vehicle for this picture.   We sat there for 20 minutes as this herd encircled us and came very, very close.   One elephant lifted his trunk and put it less than a foot from my shoulder.   The other woman on our tour was terrified because she is very familiar with elephants.   She begged for us to leave. She shared a recent story where an elephant picked up a vehicle and rolled it.   And another story where an elephant picked up a man and tossed him, killing him.    But I was so grateful that our guide continued to sit there.   The animals seemed so gentle (maybe that is what every person feels just before the elephant charges!!) 

One of the few watering holes.   The river and other watering holes have dried up during the drought.

We were back to our rooms by 9:30.   Look what was waiting for us---a tame warthog.  She was abandoned at the lodge as a baby and the owners have raised her.    Warthogs disappear so fast and we couldn't get any pictures.   So this was a great surprise to have one stand still for a pic.

 Elder Todd recuperating from a huge breakfast.   This is on the deck of our bedroom. 

One of my favorite memories of this safari was watching elephants play in the river just beneath our deck!   Incredible!

 Or watching the Nyala just a few feet from our deck. Aren't they beautiful?

At 3:30 we were served High Tea....very fancy food which Elder Todd loved.   By 4:15 we were back on the road looking for more wildlife.   This evening drive wasn't as successful.   But we did manage to see a herd of Cape Buffalo.   They are known for being mean, and even the lions do not bother them..unless it is sick or a baby

Doesn't he look harmless?

Completely dry riverbed.

. 

This baby giraffe nursing was touching.

About 8 PM we saw a tree decorated with twinkle lights.   We pulled up and we noticed candles all along the ground.  It was very romantic.  We stopped for "drinks" here.    They had every thing imaginable except non-alcoholic beverages.   However, at this point they learned our standards and never forgot to provide sparkling juices for us.

As we climbed out of our jeep at the lodge, there was someone to greet us with hot towels to wash our face and hands.   We walked into the dining room and found a formal dinner setting.    The food I could not pronounce or recognize.   There were so many courses that I can't remember what was served.

Another surprise awaited us....as we walked into our room which we expected to be pitch black---there were candles flickering.   On a table there was chocolate fondu, strawberries and marshmallows---now that is my kind of dinner!I licked the pot clean.   Boy, were we being pampered!

The next morning they called us at 4:30 AM so we could get an earlier start.  Everyone wanted to see lions or leopards and they had eluded us.   We grabbed a quick bite, jumped in the jeep and began searching.   The tracker tried everything...no lions.   No animals---- except a snake.   Our tracker was terrified and stayed away,  but our ranger was expert at capturing and handling snakes.  He caught and held the python.   I could not believe how strong it was as it wrapped around our ranger's arm.   He had me feel the snake as it wrapped so tightly.   Then he opened the snakes mouth with a stick and we viewed a mouthful of very sharp teeth on top and bottom.  I thought they strangled their prey to death??   Our Taylor grandchildren raised a python in their basement (next to our guest room) and I had no idea it had razor sharp teeth.   Yikes!

For 2 1/2 hours we searched in vain for the lions.   Everyone watched and stayed alert for any sign of movement.     Finally, the tracker found them!!!   Four lions--3 female and 1 male.  They were lounging and relaxing in the sun.   They looked absolutely harmless.   Our ranger parked a little ways away!  But gradually he moved the jeep until we were only 15 feet away.     He told us to remain sitting and we would be fine, but if we stood up, we were in trouble.   We stayed sitting and watched for 20 minutes.   They did get up and walk around, they played with each other, they nuzzled each other but they were lazy.   We learned they hunt in the early morning and late evening.   During the day, they sleep and rest.   It was hard to believe they could easily tear us to shreds.  God's creations are amazing.

King of the Jungle????

Our "home" for 2 days.   It looks humble, but looks can be deceiving.     We were at Amakosi for just under 48 hours but we experienced so much. 

 We went on 2 morning drives, 2 night drives, had so much food, made friends with people from England and South Africa, and fell in love with Africa AGAIN.   It was a 3 hour drive back home and we were serving a meal for our elders.  Luckily, they agreed to pizza instead of our usual home cooking.  We stopped and picked up the pizza on the way home, and arrived just as the elders were pulling up to our gate!  Whew!

As a farewell gift to me, just as we were pulling out of the Game Reserve, this elephant came strolling out.   Elder Todd was nervous about getting home in time to fed the elders, but he humored me and stopped and we watched this elephant strip the bark off the tree, pull down branches and rip off vines with no effort at all.   Actually, Elder Todd could not leave because this huge animal blocked the road....and took his time to move away.

Even though I have shared this unforgettable adventure, our experiences sharing the gospel are also unforgettable.   Most of our time is spent with the African people...and that is how we want it to be.   The friendships we have made and the testimonies we have shared bring such joy to us.

Elder and Sister Todd
Mom and Dad
Grandma and Grandpa

Greetings from South Africa!
As you know, we arrived in South Africa January 10, 2015.  Finally after 8 months I am trying to use a blog.   Is the saying true, "Better late than never?"   I hope so.   I have tried to share some of our experiences in a weekly letter.   However, I am going to try