You can't schedule everything

Dear Family:
We have had another busy week and have come to understand two very important concepts: (1)We should not schedule things too closely together because it always takes longer than you think, and (2)It is best to leave some open time to take care of the unexpected.

Every morning we wake up and wonder what new "adventure" we will have. For example, we thought the only thing we had scheduled Thursday was picking up the post (mail) from the airport where we get the boxes of post which are flown here from the mission office in Cape Town once a week. We had just gotten home when the Zone Leaders called to say that Elder Xaba, one of the 10 black elders of the 30 we are responsible for, was very ill and Sister Egan (Mission Mom) thought we should meet them at the doctor's office, which we did. The doctor diagnosed a sinus infection as well as chronic malnutrition. He wrote 4 prescriptions and told us that the best thing for Elder Xaba would be bed rest. Because Sister Egan was so concerned, we decided to have the elder stay with us and have his companion work in a threesome for the rest of the day. So Thursday and Friday we had an unexpected house guest who slept a lot, except when Dad got him up, gave him his pills and encouraged him to eat. By Saturday morning he was looking and acting better so we went to our Zone Conference Workshop/Interviews and Elder Xaba went back with his companion. This is a young man from South Africa who, prior to his mission was a high school biology teacher. His goal is to become the Minister of Education for South Africa. He is bright and has a wonderful knowledge of the gospel.

One of our other elders who is a native of Ghana, Elder Pappoe (pap-oh), prior to his mission was on the Jr. National Soccer Team for Ghana. He was being groomed for the 2010 World Cup to play on the national squad. When he made the decision to go on a mission, the Ghana Soccer Association expelled him for 7 years. Since his cousin was also a member of the national team, he is currently boycotting the team because of the way Elder Pappoe was treated. Mike, do a search for a soccer player in Ghana named Pappoe and see what you can find. Apparently he is a highly publized sports figure in Ghana.

Another adventure came Wednesday night. Home teaching does not come easily in Mdantsane. Brother and Sister April, who do not have a car, asked us to go home teaching with them so we could provide transport. Brother April is the 2nd Counselor in the MD 1st Ward Bishopric and Sister April is a Primary and Institute class teacher. Brother April works in East London which is about a 20 minute drive to the east of MD. He rides a taxi (mini van with 10 other riders). He told us that it costs him about 25% of his wages in transportation costs. Sister April works in King William's Town, about 40 minutes to the west of MD. She rides with a co-worker. They leave their baby daughter with Sister April's mother from early Monday until Friday afternoon. This is very common, that is, when the grandparents take care of the grandkids. Anyway, since Brother April had never been to the home of the family we were to home teach, Dad thought we had better try to find how to get there before we picked up the Aprils. So we started down the road about 45 minutes early. It's a good thing we did. The dirt "road" had been severely damaged by a downpour of rain the day before. The last 200 yards was worse than farm roads at Grandpa's farm. We scrapped bottom a couple of times and were bounced around pretty good. But we found the place. We then went back and picked up the Aprils and headed there again. This family of older parents plus 3 children were anxiously awaiting our visit with their scriptures ready, and were so welcoming. Brother and Sister April gave a wonderful lesson from the November 07 Liahona about the power to change written by President Faust before his death. Brother Mgidi (m-hard g-ee-dee) told us that when he reads the Book of Mormon he feels its POWER! And he says it just like that--POWER! He was presented to be advanced to the office of an elder in Stake Conference today.

We learned from [mission] President Egan yesterday that of the 3600 members of the East London Stake, only 120 are white. Nearly all of those presented for priesthood advancement were blacks. During Stake Conference yesterday and today there was a women's and men's choir and each one was 95% black. Boy, do they know how to sing! Such harmony and enthusiasm, it made tears come to your eyes! During Stake Conference the Presidency was reorganized. For the first time, the conference was televised from the EL Haven Hills building to the Queenstown chapel and the MD chapel. We were in the Haven Hills building where, we would guess, there were between 800-900 people. We heard from some of our missionaries this evening who were in the MD chapel that the quality of the picture and sound were not the best. Mike, they needed your techie help!! But it was a very good meeting.

We love hearing from you. Love to all, MOM and DAD/Grandma and Grandpa