WHAT A WEEK!

HUMBLING 

Last Sunday after church, I was standing outside visiting with people.   Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed two boys about 6 -8 years old.   They were laughing so hard, they were shaking.    I didn't think much about it, but a few minutes later they were still laughing.   I turned my head to look at what was going on, and I noticed that they were pointing in my direction.   I also noticed that their mother was trying to get them to stop laughing, which seemed strange.   Within a few minutes, the boys were much closer to me and pointing directly at me.   I wondered if my dress was unzipped or it had a big hole.  This time I turned and faced the boys, and inquired what was so funny.   They inched closer and pointed at my arms.   I was REALLY puzzled now.   I asked again, and this time they pointed at their elbows and then at me.   Oh, so they thought my elbows were funny.     I STILL did not get the joke.   One boy grew very brave and walked up and pointed at the SAGGING skin on my elbow!!!!   His mother was so embarrassed and tried to pull him away, but I assured her I was not upset.   Then he slowly reached out and touched my wrinkled skin.   Immediately he pulled his finger back with the most horrified look----like he had just touched something very gross!   His friend was not going to be left out, and he timidly touched my skin with one finger and let out a loud shriek.   There was no stopping them now---one boy came up and grabbed my loose skin and twisted it.   I let out a little yelp because it really hurt.  They both took off running before I could say a word.   I am sure they will be laughing about my elbows all day long.     I was grateful that I could bring so much laughter to these children....but it was quite humbling.    Needless to say, I will NOT be posting a picture of my elbows.            
 The Zulu women have beautiful skin and very FEW wrinkles so they couldn't imagine what happened to my skin.

IS THIS REAL?

Monday we headed to the Tembe Elephant Park about 4 hours away.   There are many game parks in South Africa, but this one caught our attention because it is completely run by the local African community.   All of the employees are from the village.   It is a high poverty area with no other opportunities for work.  They advertised the park as a chance to see the wildlife AND help support the community.  
As we arrived, we were greeted by several women (we later found out they were the chefs and housekeeping staff) who sang their hearts out for us.   This was the beginning of a WONDERFUL visit.  

These ladies greeted us with beautiful songs.

Home Sweet Home.    Inside was a bed, toilet and sink.    The shower is outside.

After a quick lunch, we headed out on safari with 4 other people who were from Germany.   Elder Todd informed our guide that he wanted to see a leopard very badly.   We have seen all the Big Five (the 5 most sought after animals in African viewing and hunting) except the leopard.   We were informed that ALL visitors would like to see a leopard, but they are very elusive and not often seen.   That did not dampen Elder Todd's desire to see a leopard.   

We were viewing animals at the "hide" (a high structure where you can view animals without being seen), when our guide whispered, ""Hurry to the vehicle now!"   We quickly and quietly, went down the stairs and hurried to the jeep.  As soon as we were seated, the driver took off driving like a mad-man.   We were thrown from side to side and bumped all around, but nobody minded.   We were in search of a leopard.   To cut to the chase, we DID arrive in time to observe the leopard up in a tree.   We were thrilled and thought, "This was wonderful!"   We were satisfied and ready to leave, but the leopard climbed down the tree, walked across a flat area and then sauntered across the trail right in front of us!!!   Then he climbed another tree nearby and draped his beautiful body over a branch in full view.   Wow!    We observed him for about 15 minutes and then he disappeared.  We were giddy with excitement as we thought about what we had just seen. 

The leopard was so close, but its camouflage is very effective!

We returned in time for dinner at 7:30 pm.   The entree was Impala steaks, which is a popular animal found in most game parks.   All the meat killed is part of the population control of this beautiful animal.   It tasted very good, but felt a little like we were eating Bambi.   The second night we had Kudu, another native antelope, for dinner.  We enjoyed both.

The manager of the park spoke to everyone and shared the history of the park.   I will give you a very quick overview:   For decades the people had planted crops and then the elephants had come and harvested the crops.   The tribe had used noise makers, bonfires and sling shots but nothing kept the elephants out of their crops.  Finally the tribal chief approached the Conservation/Wildlife Department and asked for help.   Eventually they came up with this plan:   Thirty thousand hectares would be fenced off to keep the elephants and other animals inside.    The people were all relocated outside the fence in a new area.   They were compensated for this loss of home and farm--I don't know if it was adequate or not.   Nine years later, it opened as a game park.  So the animals in this park are all indigenous to this area.  

He continued his speech and thanked us profusely for coming here and allowing the villagers to earn a living.   All of the staff were very humble and we felt so welcome.  

That night, we were the ONLY couple that was not awakened at 3:00 a.m.    Elephants had pushed down the fence and they were tromping through the place knocking over trees and pulling down branches.   Guests said the elephants were 2 meters away from their "tents" and they were terrified.   I was so disappointed that we had missed the excitement and had slept through everything.    

Our wake up call came at 5:20 a.m.   It was a "REAL" wake up call-- a girl walked up to each tent and yelled "Wake Up".   Breakfast was at 5:40 and we were on our way at 6:00 a.m. sharp.   We drove for 3 hours and didn't see anything.   The last 45 minutes we saw giraffes, impala, nyalas and wildebeast.   Safaris are unpredictable, but always wonderful.

Late that afternoon, on our second safari for the day,  we came across 5 female lions lazily basking in the sun. We could not believe our good fortune.   These lionesses were very close.   And they were being playful with each other.   Our guide said, they had made a big kill and were now digesting the meal and enjoying themselves.   The females are the "best and most efficient hunters" according to our guide.   They are faster and more agile than the larger/heavier males.  

The "Grand Finale" was a completely different experience.   Patrick, our fantastic guide, took us into a "no entry" area.   He moved aside logs that blocked the way.   He explained that he was taking us to an area on the backside of the waterhole.  He parked the jeep and we waited.  Twenty minutes later 7 elephants strolled right past us.   We tried to get pictures but the elephants were so close they didn't turn out.   We got pictures when they were further away.   Next 2 giraffes appeared.  Watching them drink is fascinating.   

 Watching the giraffes straddle to drink.    It took quite an effort. 

Another incredible day enjoying the elephants very close and personal. 

After 45 minutes, we looked up at the watering hole.  Slowly walking across the field were nyalas, ten minutes later came the waterbuck, then another giraffee and a buffalo.  Animals were wandering down slowly and cautiously.   They are always on the lookout for the predators which often lurk near the water.  

Picture this scene:   majestic animals, beautiful water, typical African trees and huge blue sky all together.    We took pictures, but I wanted to cry because they look so "plain" and "dull" and unexciting.   Well, in real life it looked like a scene from a movie. 

Notice the reflection.

We want to always remember the feelings we felt there. We felt gratitude for the variety of animals and the complexity of how the animals survive and co-exist.   Heavenly Father created an amazing interdependence and survival system.  We felt so much peace in the surroundings....like our souls were at rest.   We felt awe at the beauty everywhere.   .    

Our guide stopped at sunset and we were served drinks (we opted for bottled water!!) with this gorgeous setting as a backdrop.   The elephants were grazing and we loved watching the baby tag behind his mother. 

Just a side note on the drought in southeast Africa.    It is VERY serious.   The rivers, lakes, waterholes are completely dried up and hard packed.    This water hole comes from the park rangers digging a borehole and pumping water.    They have no idea how long the borehole will produce water.   In the local village people pay to have water brought in for their cattle.   And, they are now paying to have water trucked in for themselves. 

I couldn't resist his smile and his friendly manner.   After watching him weave a small basket, I bought one. 

We (or actually ME) really embraced "helping the local villagers earn a living".  Rarely, do we ever spend money for such luxuries, but we both had a massage.   They bring these tables outside your tent and go to work.   Elder Todd had a head, neck and shoulder massage for 45 minutes for $15.14!!!   His first massage ever....he reluctantly agreed to "support" the local workers!

Full Service Hotel!   This is how they carry all luggage to and from the tents.

On the drive home we saw several scenes like this.   People lined up with all kind of containers to get water.  When the containers are filled they must carry them home somehow.   A very few have trucks or wheelbarrows, many carry large containers on their heads. 

We stopped on the way home and bought some fresh pineapples growing here.   The pineapples are small---some just bigger than an apple.   Some are delicious and others not good.  

GETTING BACK TO WORK

On our drive home, the phone began to ring with people/missionaries needing help.  We changed "gears" and got to work.

The next morning we left and drove 45 minutes to Mtuzini to meet Sue Butler, who needed help with Family History/Genealogy work.   She is not a member of our church, but wanted to sign up to use the free Family Search website.    Before we got to work on family history, she treated us to a picnic on the beach:   Rolls, cheese, cucumbers, and sausage/potato/apple salad.  She had planned to make us a quiche but the power and water had been turned off all morning.  We had a wonderful time, and then went to her home to work.   Unfortunately, there was a glitch when she typed her email address and then her internet didn't work so Elder Todd couldn't complete the task.   However, the next morning he registered her and she has an account.  We are going back to give her more help next week.  

MORE TRAINING NEEDED

We are trying to "train" leaders for the Young Single Adult Group (singles ages 18-30).   We realized we needed to do more training, when we met Friday afternoon for the final meeting and things were a mess.    Let's put it this way, we tried "tough love" combined with "rescuing".   Don't ask me to explain, because you don't have enough time to read the story!   

Saturday morning we had the missionaries who needed to use our computer and another couple that needed our help also.  But at 11:30 we were finally off to our assignments.  I will describe one experience from today---this is very similar to other weekly happenings when we think we will be finished in 10 minutes.    We were supposed to pick up Namhla at the pizza store and drive her to the church--very simple.    She was in charge of the food for the Young Adult Activity and we are trying "shadow leadership" (where we are available to help them, but they are supposed to do the task themselves).  She had ordered the pizza and bought the fruit, but it was too much for her to carry so we went to get her.   As she climbed into the car, she said that Seimpiwe was at the taxi rank and needed a ride to the church.   We turned around and headed to the very congested area where the taxis pick up customers.   We spent quite awhile trying to find her among all the people.  Our phone rang again, and it was another person needing a ride. Namhla looks at the pizza and said, "Now we need another pizza."   I thought it was too late, but she said that they could make the pizza really fast.   Back to the pizza place, order the pizza, and then off to find "Zama" who had called earlier.    Elder Todd drove to the appointed meeting place but Zama was not there.   We called.  We were in the wrong place.   We gave the phone to Namhla and she realized we were in completely the wrong area.   We made new arrangements.   However, Zama is no where to be found.   After 3 more attempts, we finally found Zama and headed back to the pizza store.    Pizza is not ready.   Wait.   Tobani, also needs a ride.  Finally, we have the pizza and 5 passengers in the back seat of the Toyota, and we head to the church.   It took 1 hour and 45 minutes to "go pick up Namhla."  

FUN WITH MINUTE-TO-WIN-IT!

However, it was all worth it!!    When the others arrived, we ate and then began the games.   Playing games like this is completely foreign to them.  We had rehearsed the games the day before, but Tobani didn't know how to begin.   So Elder Todd and I introduced the games.   First we played, "Two truths and a Lie" which they loved.  A funny twist was that they almost always blurted out the lie before anyone could guess.   They just couldn't wait and they answered their own question!!!   But everyone was happy.   

Next we did 4 games of Minute-to-Win-It.   This is a TV game (so they told us, but we had never seen it or heard of it.) and we found the tasks online.   We played "Cookie in Your Face" (you had to move the cookie from your forehead and into your mouth with no hands), "Defy Gravity" (where each person had to keep 3 balloons in the air for 1 minute,  "Noodling Around" (where you must pick up 6 pieces of penne pasta with a piece of uncooked spaghetti in your mouth...and with hands behind your back) and Chinese Marshmallows (you must transfer as many mini marshmallows from one bowl to another in one minute using chopsticks).    Oh, how I wish you could be a fly on the wall and watch....or a gecko on the wall.  

After cleaning up, we took 2 loads of people back to the taxi rank so they could head home.

Zama is the winner...6 penne pasta on 1 spaghetti noodle.

No one had any idea how to use chopsticks, so Larry "cheated" and coached his team.   Sazi did OK. 

Elder Todd did succeed in getting the cookie in his mouth!

CALLING ALL WOMEN

We have been able to provide many events and training for the young adults, teenagers and children.   But I wanted to do something special for the women.   Allyson Colton, an ex-Pat from the USA, and I arranged to show a re-broadcast of the Relief Society Broadcast (a worldwide meeting where church leaders talked just to the girls and women).  Actually, her husband and my husband, did much work to make this a success.  In fact, without them, we could not have done it.   We brought girls and women from the 5 townships to watch the video.   It was so uplifting and inspirational.   Afterwards we ate and visited....which was the perfect ending.  The women DID NOT want to leave.  Women here work SO very hard, and usually do not receive any appreciation or help.

Eating and socializing.

Monday was our Preparation Day and we hoped to visit a new area, but we were too tired and just cleaned up the dishes, etc. from the previous days.

FROSTING ON THE CAKE

That Monday night we had an appointment that we had been looking forward to all week, so we pulled ourselves together and prepared.   We were able to teach Michael, Yolandi, Tiffany and Aiden Baxter the missionary discussion on the Plan of Salvation or the Plan of Happiness.  We had great discussions as we presented the concepts.   We challenged them to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it.   We are excited to hear their thoughts.

TWO THOUGHTS FOR YOU AND ME

"Why would anyone walk through life satisfied with the light from the candle of their own understanding when, by reaching out to our Heavenly Father, they could experience the bright sun of spiritual knowledge that would expand their minds with wisdom and fill their souls with joy?"

"When we reach out to lift one another, we prove those powerful words:  No one goes his way alone."

We have truly experienced the joy of walking with the wonderful people of South Africa.

With much love,

Elder and Sister Todd
Sandy and Larry
Grandma and Grandpa

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sad News!

April 25, 2016

Hello All,

Every mission has its ups and downs.    Most of the time, we have "rolled with the punches" and plodded ahead.   We ("old missionaries") can keep-on-truckin even when things aren't going well.

However, 2 weeks ago we received news that has really had an impact on me---and not in a good way.   We received news that Elder Samkelo Moloi was being sent home from his mission.   He is a young man that we worked with to help him prepare for his mission and complete the necessary paper work, medical and dental work.   We spent a great deal of time with him and love him.    He has been raised by his grandparents, although his father lives 2 houses away and his mother lives 2 hours away (and he rarely sees them).  

He was sent home for fornication and the girl is pregnant.   Samkelo is very sorry.  But this has impacted so many lives---Samkelo, the mother of the unborn child, the unborn child, his grandfather, the girls extended family who are not members, his companion, his branch and the girl's branch, etc...............

He had a bright future when he left.   So many people sacrificed for him to be able to serve a mission.  Since his return, he does not receive much support from the priesthood leaders here.   Larry is explaining to the district president and branch president the importance of showing great love and support for him.    This is quite a foreign concept here.   We don't know if it is the macho Zulu culture, or what.   The leaders do not "nurture" or "encourage" struggling members or active members.    We have tried to demonstrate this the past months but we do not know if we have made a difference. 

We have been visiting Samkuelo each week and will continue to do so until we leave.     We are reminding the branch president to do the same.   We are hoping and praying for the best.   

We know the gospel is true and it blesses our lives.   We are grateful for the happiness it brings to us.   We love sharing this message.    We are grateful for the principle of repentance.    We need it constantly.   I am humbled by how patient the Lord is with me when I constantly make mistakes.   We are grateful that Samkelo has taught about the Savior and he also knows about repentance.    This is another reminder to us of how easily we can be sidetracked or deceived or entrapped by Satan. 

We love each of you.    We appreciate your letters and your prayers.  

Love, 

Sandy and Larry

Mom and Dad

Grandpa and Grandma

Time is Flying By!

When I turned the page on the calendar and saw the month of April staring at me, I couldn't believe it.   We still have so many hopes and dreams for these wonderful Zulu people.   We are turning to the Lord to discover what He would have us focus on during our last 2 1/2 months.     We feel a great responsibility to do all we can to teach the people about Jesus Christ and His gospel.

A RUDE AWAKENING 

Last night at midnight, I felt so hot, I climbed out of bed, went to Larry's side of the bed and turned the air conditioner on.   The unit hangs on the wall right above our bed.  As soon as the air conditioner clicked on, Larry bolted up in bed.   He was waving and thrashing his hands by his head.   I thought I had startled him.  Then he slaps his neck, leaps out of bed and acts very strange.   Suddenly I noticed what was happening.   He had a large cockroach on his body and he was trying to get it off.   I saw it running back and forth in his hair, down to his neck, onto his back and then back up to his head.   Finally, he knocked it off his neck and on to the bed.    I grabbed a shoe and gave it a hard whack!  Dead!  But it was smashed all over the sheet.   I took some toilet paper and removed his body, and Larry crawled back into bed and went to sleep.  We didn't  change the sheets or try to clean them because we were exhausted.   The next morning I removed the sheets, soaked them in stain remover, and washed them twice.   The big stain is still there and so are all the "splatters".    These cockroaches have black blood/juice/shells or whatever.    It is like India ink and worse that permanent marker and does not come out!   It is not going to be fun sleeping on those sheets---good thing we are so tired each night. We have discovered that cockroaches often "jump out" of the vent when we turn on the air con---as they call it here. 

COULD YOU PLEASE PLUG IN THE FAN?

This may seem like a straight forward request.   But it isn't.   One of the interesting things about South Africa are the plugs or wall outlets.    An appliance might have a square plug, a small rectangular plug, round, triangle, large rectangle, 2 prong, 3 prong or 3 large prongs.    That means you need to have adapters for each one of these plugs.   This is NOT related to changing from 220V to 110V. This is for the toaster, hair dryer or mixer purchased here!   When I need to plug in something new, it isn't as easy as it should be.   Of course, there is only one outlet in each room and NONE in the bathrooms.   So each outlet has a power strip with all sorts of plugs coming from a variety of items---hair dryer, lamp, fan, clock, phone chargers etc.    It looks like a serious fire hazard but it is a fact of life here.    When we travel (or even go to another church building and want to show a video), we bring a BAG of different plugs and adapters.   You have no idea what type/shape/size of outlet will be in your hotel room...and if you do not have the correct adapter, you won't be able to charge your phone or blow dry your hair.  This picture only shows a little bit--but you get the idea.

SO GOOD TO BE TOGETHER

Thursday at noon we drove to Durban to our Senior Conference.   The senior couples from our entire mission came for a 2 day training.   There are 9 couples serving from Durban to Bloemfontein and Lesotho.  We drove 2 hours but others drove 8 or 9 hours so we could be together.   We receive such strength from each other.  We used to have 12 couples, but 3 have gone home and no one has come to replace them.   We really need more couples here.
 
We had chicken curry, a very popular South African dish, for dinner.   For dessert we had milk tart, another South African favorite.   It is similar to cheesecake.  Elder Todd loved the food.    We visited as we washed the dishes and stayed up too late talking. 

Friday morning we began at 9:00 A.M. at the mission home.   President Zachrison taught a powerful lesson for 1 hour.   It was on prayer.   Isn't it amazing that after hearing lessons on prayer for over 60 years, there is still  so much to learn???   He shared some new insights and reminded us of things we already knew--but don't always apply.  When we turn to the Lord first, we are humbled by the help we receive.   When we get busy, or proud, and do things on our own, they never go as well.

For the next 3 1/2 hours each couple took a turn sharing a "best practice" that had been successful for them.   There were so many ideas and each one was unique.   We concluded that each couple had "found" something had suited their personality...and nothing was the same!   It surprised all of us.   But each area has its own challenges, strengths and culture.   One couple, living in Velkom, had attended a church dinner where they were served sheep brains....and she said they looked and tasted awful.   Another sister had pictures of her eating from a PIG HEAD at a church dinner.  The full head sat on a platter in the middle of the table as a decoration.   They ate everything--ears, snout, tongue, etc.   She had a video of her and others eating the snout!  Then they chewed sucked on the bones until they were shiny.   Yum!

Listening to President Zachrison.  (Chandlers, Hinds, Taylors, Roberts, and Woolstons.     Stevensons, Sorensens and Nielsens not in the picture.)

IT WORKED!

When we arrived on our mission, our mission president did not give us ANY advice or instruction except this:    "You have come to South Africa with whatever tools or talents are needed in your area.  I don't give instruction or direction. I am caring for 125 missionaries and need the senior couples to be completely self reliant."   It was unnerving to head to a completely foreign area with No advice or guidance.   But each couple had followed his advice and "found" what the Lord needed to be done!  I wish I had space to share all the wonderful things being done.  It was another testimony to me of how the Lord knows each of us AND he helps his servants move the gospel forward. 

TEMPLE COMING TO DURBAN SOUTH AFRICA!

Saturday we all were excited to be able to attend the ground breaking for the Durban South Africa Temple. The temple site is on a hilltop overlooking beautiful rolling hills.  It is near the national highway and people will be able to see it as they drive by.   I don't know how many of you knew that the church was building a temple in Durban.   It was very exciting news and the people here are overjoyed.  We arrived several hours early so we could get a seat.  It was VERY hot but we were all so grateful to be able to be a part of the ground breaking.  Usually the temples take about 3 years to build, but they have not announced a completion date.  There was a short program and then the site was dedicated with a prayer.  In this prayer, it stated that the temple would bring wonderful blessings to the people and the country.     At the conclusion of prayer, the dignitaries (government leaders, political leaders and church leaders) turned over the dirt with "golden (painted)" shovels.   When they were finished, people from the audience were invited to come and dirt over some dirt so we took our turn with hundreds of others.

Some of the Gezane family and Zulu family with us.  In the center is a drawing of what the future Durban Temple.   It does not look "African" but we heard that before the temple was approved, the zoning officers outlined the basic parameters of the design.   Don't know if that is true. 

MEMORIES

When each senior couple arrives in our mission, they spend the first 2 nights at The Huntley House B&B, before they are sent to their area.   So for this conference, we all stayed there again.   What memories!   We reflected on how things had changed, how we had changed and what we had learned.   What a walk down memory lane.   However, we didn't spend too much time thinking, because the days were packed with instruction and it was always late when we got back to the B&B.   

These flowers and bushes were just outside our room at the B&B. 
We love the gorgeous plants in South Africa.

Saturday night we all went to dinner at the Cargo Hold--a restaurant along the ocean and next to the aquarium.   It has a 2-3 story glass wall that showcases many kinds of sharks in a Shark Tank.    Our table edge was touching the glass and it was fascinating to watch these large fish.    

We loved eating dinner with the sharks---especially because we were on the other side of the glass.

DO I REALLY NEED A HAIRCUT? 

For my haircut, I decided to try someone new.   The salon was very small and rundown, but it was in a nice area of town.   The most important factor was that it was 6 doors away from a car wash.   We had been out in the rural areas on muddy roads/paths and the car was filthy.   The stylist seemed very nice.   As we walked into a small back room for my shampoo, she casually mentioned they were having trouble with the water......very bad news at a hair salon.     I sat in the chair and leaned my head back into the basin.  The "shampoo lady" (a black "helper") dipped her fingers into a small dish of water and rubbed her fingers into my hair....just a few drops of water...no running water from the faucet.    My hair was a little damp, but certainly not wet.   Then she added LOTS of shampoo and began to rub until my head was completely lathered up.   I wondered how she would ever rinse all the soap out with just a tiny cup of water???   She dumped the little remaining water on my head and that didn't help at all.  I was puzzled when she took a pitcher and went outside for quite a while.   She came back in with the pitcher full of water and explained she had put a barrel outside and had been collecting rain water for weeks.   She dumped the water over my head and I hoped the soap was gone.   However, she did give me a wonderful head massage!   It was heavenly.   I was happy to leave a big tip because the "Shampoo Ladies" do not receive any wages but the tips.   
What I thought was ironic, is the fact that there was no water in the hair salon but the car wash 1/2 block away was using gallons of water!    Puzzling!

COME LISTEN TO A PROPHET'S VOICE 

How grateful we are to be able to listen to a prophet of God speak directly to us twice a year.   We were able to listen to his talk on the internet (although it was constantly breaking up).   As Thomas Monson spoke last weekend, we felt the confirmation that he truly speaks for the Lord.

As we listened to the apostles speak to us, we felt so inspired and uplifted.   One of our favorite talks was Elder Jeffery R. Holland.   We plan to reread it again later.   A favorite quote from the talk:

"Brothers and sisters, the first great commandment of all eternity is so love God with all our heart, might, mind, and strength.   That's the first great commandment.   But the first great TRUTH of all eternity is that God loves us with all of His heart, might, mind and strength..... "

"Keep trying.   Keep trusting.   Keep believing.   Keep growing.   Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever. "

HOME SWEET HOME

We love coming home to this giraffe on our front porch.   It is peeking around the brick to greet us and makes us feel so welcome.   This giraffe belongs to our landlord and has been on the porch for 2 decades.   It is sun bleached and worn--but so friendly.

We feel like the luckiest couple to be able to serve the people of South Africa.   We are trying to learn from them, as well as share our message.   We know the Savior lives and is our Redeemer.

Love,
Elder and Sister Todd
Larry and Sandy
Mom and Dad