Happy Thanksgiving! Hope you are gathered with those who mean a lot to you and your turkey dinner is delicious! Our day is ending--it's 10:45pm--and it was certainly not how we usually celebrate the day! We are leaving early tomorrow for Couples Conference in Cape Town so we spent the day getting ready to go and covering our bases so that, hopefully, things will continue on OK without us til late Monday night when we return. We will have a day of sight-seeing, a day of workshops, attend Church, and, for Dad, a Mission Presidency Meeting. The mission is paying for our flight down and a bed-and-breakfast for 3 nights--nice!
Having a brai[bar-b-que] is the big-time way to celebrate here, so the elders gathered on Monday for p-day and we had a Thanksgiving brai with each companionship contributing some food and we provided chicken. Turkeys seem to be non-existent here, but chickens are plentiful, whether you prefer to buy a live one and slaughter it yourself or buy one from the grocery store. It's a sure guess which way we went!
Anyway, the elders always enjoy getting together and Monday worked better than today because we are in the middle of transfers which is always a busy time. It involves taking those who are "going down"[to South Africa] to the airport which is 45 minutes out of town, and picking up those who are "coming up"[from SA]. It would be so simple if we could leave off the going elders and then pick up the coming elders. But this is Africa, so of course, it has to be a time-comsuming process. The elders go in the morning and the elders come in the evening which means 2 trips to the airport and 2 trips back to Windhoek for a total time of 3 hours just for transport. For those elders who stay, there are some changes of companionships so they have to be taken to their new apartments. The Mission President's wife likes to have clean bedding for the elders who are transferring in, which means picking up the bedding from the elders who leave, laundering it, and taking it to the apartments of the new elders. Then there are the visas--but we won't even go there! But we count as one of our blessings the tremendous young men who we have the opportunity to work with.
We didn't have turkey and stuffing. We didn't have mashed potatoes and gravy. We didn't have pumpkin pie. But we do have so many blessings--faithful, supportive and loving family, the Lord's Plan of Happiness, the Savior's Atonement in our behalf, being His servants in a most unique part of the world among His chidren of such a different cultures, any many, many more. Take time today to "count your many blessings" as the hymn goes.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Summer in November
Warm greetings from Namibia, as we do mean WARM—daily temperatures of 97-100 and it isn’t even the hottest part of the summer yet! Somehow, it just doesn’t seem right to be so hot and yet see Christmas trees and decorations and hear Christmas music playing in the stores.
This week was highlighted by two very significant experiences. We sent a sister from the Katutura Branch on her way to the MTC in Johannesburg before departing to the Uganda Kampala Mission. It was somewhat like saying good-bye to one of our own children, except that we will never again see Sister Sarti Amunyela. Her mission call was mailed to us so we were able to be with her when she opened it and we helped her a little bit getting ready to go. She is the first missionary to be sent from the Katutura Branch since it was split off from the Windhoek Branch. She actually received a mission call to Nigeria a couple of years ago, but her father was very much against her going. He told her that he would go and find her and bring her back home. There was even a threat of violence. So Sarti didn’t go, but she never lost the desire to serve a mission. Now she feels independent enough of her father that she went through the application process again. He is still very opposed to her going but hasn’t threatened her. Some time ago her father “gave” Sarti a younger sister and brother to raise and take care of and they have looked to her as a mother ever since. She is around 26 or 27 years of age, her sister is 22 and her brother 20. Neither has a job, nor seems inclined to get one. Sarti has been working, although not recently, and going to the University of Namibia. She decided to buy an “old clunker” that her brother can drive as a taxi to bring in some income while she is gone. Needless to say, she is concerned about her siblings/children while she is gone, but has faith in the Lord and trusts in His constant care. They live in a one-room corrugated tin shack; we’re not even sure if they have inside bathroom facilities—very humble circumstances, not unlike what many of our African missionaries and members come from. But she has an excellent knowledge of the gospel, quite a bit of teaching experience in the branch, and a sincere and devout testimony. She will be a great sister missionary.
Yesterday, Sunday, we were part of an historic event—the All-Africa Stake Conference originating from the Conference Center in SLC. It is the first time that a meeting such as this has been geared toward just the continent of Africa. The speakers were Brother Roger Merrill General Sunday School President, Elder Glen L. Pace of the Seventy, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Twelve, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency. Each one of these brethren are well acquainted with Africa through considerable experiences and interactions, and it showed as they shared personal experiences and talked about specifics for the African saints. Of course, the doctrinal teachings are the same, but it was definitely not a “one sermon fits all congregations” kind of meeting! They talked about (1)how the answer to Africa’s as well as the world’s challenges and problems is the gospel of Jesus Christ; (2)the importance of being temple worthy and having a current temple recommend even if the opportunity never presents itself to go the temple [President Uchtdorf said that “CTR” can remind us of “Current Temple Recommend”]; (3)young men cleaning up their lives and serving missions; (4)Preach My Gospel as a tool for those preparing for missions as well as a help for members so they can share the gospel; (5)the importance of living the standards in For the Strength of Youth; (6)the importance of paying tithing; (7)the importance of homes, chapels, and temples as sanctuaries in our lives; (8)many, many more wonderful things! The broadcast went by satellite or pre-recorded DVDs to the 48 stakes and 42 districts in Africa.. Since our 2 independent branches are not part of a stake or a district, we were not “officially” included in the broadcast, but our Mission President talked with the Area Presidency about how much we needed it and they sent a DVD for each branch. Dad suggested, and President Probst agreed, that it would be good for both branches to meet together in the Windhoek chapel to view the conference. Turns out, that was a great—inspired, maybe?—decision because there was a wonderful spirit and a HUGE attendance. The chapel was filled to capacity and the cultural hall was filled almost to the stage in the back. More people came to this meeting than we saw at the General Conference broadcasts! One sister from the Katutura Branch, who has only been a member for about a month, told us that even though she didn’t have taxi money (US$10), she was not going to miss coming to the conference. She got a “lift” with someone part way to the chapel and then she and her 3 boys (ages 2, 4, 13) walked the rest of the way, not knowing how she would get back home. We took her home, but it just shows the faith and commitment of the truly converted saints here.
As far as the work is concerned, the application for acquisition of land for a new chapel in Katutura is now in the hands of the Municipality committee to decide if they will allow us to buy the land. They have been deciding for a week now, and the Area Presidency would really like to have it settled by the end of the year. But we are on Africa time so. . . With the increase in temperature, the need for fans in the Katutura church building has also increased. We have been checking out the best deals and then purchasing 3 fans for the chapel, 1 each in the Primary room, YW room, and RS room. The other facilities management projects are on hold for the time being. President Probst has given us permission to spend 3 out of the 4 weeks each month in the Katutura Branch and 1 week a month in the Windhoek Branch, which is the strongest and does not need as much help. Training leaders and teachers seems to be what is needed over and over again. An interesting thing has happened as a result of the last 2 missionary transfers—we have the youngest zone in the whole South Africa Cape Town Mission! Of our 16 elders, 3 are brand new greenies from the MTC, 3 were brand new greenies 9 weeks ago, 5 are relative “young” on their missions, and the remaining 5 are “old” with 1 going home later on this month. But they are very obedient, willing young men of testimony and faith. We just need a bit more experience here J
We feel so blessed to be in this unique part of the world among such humble, truth-seeking people. The Lord’s work is progressing in Namibia, and we are grateful to be a part of it. We are healthy, happy, and very thankful .
This week was highlighted by two very significant experiences. We sent a sister from the Katutura Branch on her way to the MTC in Johannesburg before departing to the Uganda Kampala Mission. It was somewhat like saying good-bye to one of our own children, except that we will never again see Sister Sarti Amunyela. Her mission call was mailed to us so we were able to be with her when she opened it and we helped her a little bit getting ready to go. She is the first missionary to be sent from the Katutura Branch since it was split off from the Windhoek Branch. She actually received a mission call to Nigeria a couple of years ago, but her father was very much against her going. He told her that he would go and find her and bring her back home. There was even a threat of violence. So Sarti didn’t go, but she never lost the desire to serve a mission. Now she feels independent enough of her father that she went through the application process again. He is still very opposed to her going but hasn’t threatened her. Some time ago her father “gave” Sarti a younger sister and brother to raise and take care of and they have looked to her as a mother ever since. She is around 26 or 27 years of age, her sister is 22 and her brother 20. Neither has a job, nor seems inclined to get one. Sarti has been working, although not recently, and going to the University of Namibia. She decided to buy an “old clunker” that her brother can drive as a taxi to bring in some income while she is gone. Needless to say, she is concerned about her siblings/children while she is gone, but has faith in the Lord and trusts in His constant care. They live in a one-room corrugated tin shack; we’re not even sure if they have inside bathroom facilities—very humble circumstances, not unlike what many of our African missionaries and members come from. But she has an excellent knowledge of the gospel, quite a bit of teaching experience in the branch, and a sincere and devout testimony. She will be a great sister missionary.
Yesterday, Sunday, we were part of an historic event—the All-Africa Stake Conference originating from the Conference Center in SLC. It is the first time that a meeting such as this has been geared toward just the continent of Africa. The speakers were Brother Roger Merrill General Sunday School President, Elder Glen L. Pace of the Seventy, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Twelve, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency. Each one of these brethren are well acquainted with Africa through considerable experiences and interactions, and it showed as they shared personal experiences and talked about specifics for the African saints. Of course, the doctrinal teachings are the same, but it was definitely not a “one sermon fits all congregations” kind of meeting! They talked about (1)how the answer to Africa’s as well as the world’s challenges and problems is the gospel of Jesus Christ; (2)the importance of being temple worthy and having a current temple recommend even if the opportunity never presents itself to go the temple [President Uchtdorf said that “CTR” can remind us of “Current Temple Recommend”]; (3)young men cleaning up their lives and serving missions; (4)Preach My Gospel as a tool for those preparing for missions as well as a help for members so they can share the gospel; (5)the importance of living the standards in For the Strength of Youth; (6)the importance of paying tithing; (7)the importance of homes, chapels, and temples as sanctuaries in our lives; (8)many, many more wonderful things! The broadcast went by satellite or pre-recorded DVDs to the 48 stakes and 42 districts in Africa.. Since our 2 independent branches are not part of a stake or a district, we were not “officially” included in the broadcast, but our Mission President talked with the Area Presidency about how much we needed it and they sent a DVD for each branch. Dad suggested, and President Probst agreed, that it would be good for both branches to meet together in the Windhoek chapel to view the conference. Turns out, that was a great—inspired, maybe?—decision because there was a wonderful spirit and a HUGE attendance. The chapel was filled to capacity and the cultural hall was filled almost to the stage in the back. More people came to this meeting than we saw at the General Conference broadcasts! One sister from the Katutura Branch, who has only been a member for about a month, told us that even though she didn’t have taxi money (US$10), she was not going to miss coming to the conference. She got a “lift” with someone part way to the chapel and then she and her 3 boys (ages 2, 4, 13) walked the rest of the way, not knowing how she would get back home. We took her home, but it just shows the faith and commitment of the truly converted saints here.
As far as the work is concerned, the application for acquisition of land for a new chapel in Katutura is now in the hands of the Municipality committee to decide if they will allow us to buy the land. They have been deciding for a week now, and the Area Presidency would really like to have it settled by the end of the year. But we are on Africa time so. . . With the increase in temperature, the need for fans in the Katutura church building has also increased. We have been checking out the best deals and then purchasing 3 fans for the chapel, 1 each in the Primary room, YW room, and RS room. The other facilities management projects are on hold for the time being. President Probst has given us permission to spend 3 out of the 4 weeks each month in the Katutura Branch and 1 week a month in the Windhoek Branch, which is the strongest and does not need as much help. Training leaders and teachers seems to be what is needed over and over again. An interesting thing has happened as a result of the last 2 missionary transfers—we have the youngest zone in the whole South Africa Cape Town Mission! Of our 16 elders, 3 are brand new greenies from the MTC, 3 were brand new greenies 9 weeks ago, 5 are relative “young” on their missions, and the remaining 5 are “old” with 1 going home later on this month. But they are very obedient, willing young men of testimony and faith. We just need a bit more experience here J
We feel so blessed to be in this unique part of the world among such humble, truth-seeking people. The Lord’s work is progressing in Namibia, and we are grateful to be a part of it. We are healthy, happy, and very thankful .
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