Branch Conference in Mbedula
Meet Junior, I would love to take him home to play with Joseph and Felix except that he is so blessed right here in a South African township. His family is on the covenant path and building the love, hope and goodness needed for the brighter future here in South Africa! We talked to Junior about what he learned in Primary today…
We work with Elder and Sister Jenkins, an amazing couple that serve 3 days a week in the temple with us and then another 2 days in their assigned township of Mbedula.
We have been warned not to go to the townships as they are unsafe for us Americans. We were saddened to hear that the Mbedula branch no longer has full-time elders assigned since the elders in the township were abducted. They were thrown in the back of a car, roughed up and restrained until they provided the ATM codes for their debit cards. Monies were withdrawn and somehow (the Lord’s blessing for sure) the elders were able to escape with their lives. Of course the elders were transferred from the area and not replaced. Our friends, the Jenkins have been the only missionaries there for several months..
We were not expecting what we experienced when we were invited by the Jenkins to attend their branch conference. After a word of prayer calling for the Lord’s protecting grace to attend, we proceeded in faith. Mbedula Branch meets in a pre-school. The branch president in humble gratitude shared the exciting news that the branch will soon be building a new chapel! Their faith and baptisms have been strong, and they have sufficient membership to receive this wonderful blessing.
We were pleasantly surprised as we drove in to the township. Many townships are besieged with litter, yet we saw no litter for miles around. The grounds were orderly and well-kept. We were warmly greeted as we parked our van and found our way inside.
As we entered the school room, the choir was singing prelude hymns in Zulu and the Spirit was so beautiful, so powerful.
We were grateful we had come early enough to enjoy the choir. I noticed something that looked like a gift sitting on several chairs…. What a lovely, respectful thing— The “gifts” were hymn books, covered in beautiful protective plastic to keep the hymnals pristine, which they all were.
Conference was beautiful. Several speakers bore testimony of their great faith and great joy in the midst of great hardship.
These lovely Saints are so Christ-centered and faithful. They are definitely leaven and salt and all things beautiful, in the midst of affliction, making a difference for their neighbors, and loving God.
After Conference we separated to Relief Society and Priesthood. Our hearts were filled with love as we passed all the Primary children sitting so reverently, waiting for their teacher to come. We had to stop and hang out with the children and visit with them all for a minute. So beautiful!
Relief Society was filled with powerful testimony of Gospel principles as we discussed Being One in Christ. Oh, how lovely to be a couple of American sisters, sitting with a few Afrikans sisters (of early Dutch immigrants) and a few Indian sisters, feeling a circle of oneness with all the Zulu sisters.💗 Doug said he felt the same unity and oneness in the Priesthood. The amazing thing about the Gospel is how the lessons in South Africa rejoice in the same powerful Spirit as we feel in our home ward back in Sandy. The Church is not only TRUE, but also, embraces TRUTH throughout the world, wherever it is found, no matter where you attend!
After classes ended, we were surprised with a beautiful lunch: a lovely mutton breyani (kept warm in a Wonder Bag!), served on china plates, crystal drinking glasses, several delicious side dishes —- first class all the way! After we went through the buffet line, they kept coming by serving us their homemade desserts and refills for anything we needed.
Visiting the Kwamashu wards, August 18, 2024
We were so excited to see Sister Lydia Goba, Sister Butilazy and Sister Caba that we work with at the temple on Fridays. Their invitations are what first prompted us to start visiting all the wards on the Sabbath. We love all these good people so much. Am I starting to sound like a stuck record??
The two Kwamashu Wards had their Primary programs for Sacrament meeting today—each Primary did such an amazing job, so impressive. The first ward focused on the Articles of Faith and several of the children had their parts memorized. Each child stood at the microphone and stated confidently,”My dear brothers and Sisters, I would like to share my talk, or the 1st Article of Faith”. They are building such capable leaders that can stand and witness so well; and then finish “in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.” So beautiful!
The second ward memorized the passage of scripture in Nephi about Lehi and the tree of life— so beautiful to hear this story from the mouth of babes.
It appeared that this young man walked to church by himself. He came in the parking lot when we arrived all by himself, all smiles, wearing his smiley face shirt. Love it!
These sisters worked very hard with the children, teaching them their parts and practicing all their songs to make their parents proud. We met these fun elders today and found out they are the missionaries working with Brilliant, our favorite waiter at Swadisht, where we go frequently for Indian food — The Lord’s divine positioning once again!! We had called in the missionary referral for Brilliant. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Sister Natasan is the Stake Primary President and was in attendance with President and Amy, supporting the children. She was so in tune with each child, with a prayer in her heart that each child would be blessed and successful in sharing their part. She has such a pure and beautiful love for these children, and we don’t blame her—they are so beautiful! We will revisit the Phoenix Ward and wear our Indian dresses they gave us! President Natasan and Jolene have invited us back to their home, for a braai this time. We are so spoiled.
Stanger Branch
Way back when we first arrived “on mission” we did a service project for Tina, a single sister in our ward, and needed a saw to do the job. We had zero tools and hoped to borrow to avoid incurring a lot of unnecessary expenses. Doug made friends with an amazing brother in the Stanger Branch, Brother Vivier who said “I have a saw you can borrow “ and went out and bought one! He didn’t tell us what he was doing,.. he just wanted to help and did. We could tell because it was brand new in its package. So needless to say, he’s held a place in our hearts all this time. Doug and Brother Vivier work together on a shift at the temple. He graciously invited us to come visit their ward, speak in Sacrament and then come for lunch afterward. So we did!
Basketball court in the parking lot!
Welcoming committee — our friend, Elder Ramanlal who was transferred from the Berea Ward and was one of the first missionaries we had to our apartment for breakfast. We were so excited when we saw a couple of other familiar faces— President Jubber and Assistant Matron Stephanie!! It’s so fun visiting all the wards and branches and connecting with our temple friends in their own space.
We spoke on President Nelson’s closing talk from General Conference, The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again. I shared the first four invitations he gave to us, Doug the remaining. One beautiful truth I love to share with the members is that the temple belongs to everyone, whether you have a current recommend or not. We invite members and non-members alike, to come to the temple, bring their scriptures, and sit on the lawn to study. They are even able to come inside the foyer and partake of the beautiful spirit inside the temple. The Lord invites and receives us where we’re at, and beckons us along the covenant path. Such a fabulous plan! Doug spoke on Gethsemane and the atonement. The Prophet invites us to study the atonement every week, so powerful.
We were so delighted the Jubbers and missionaries were also invited to lunch! We followed the Jubbers out to their home on top of a knoll, with a macadamia nut farm surrounding— so cool! I spent time in the kitchen with Sister Viviers and Sister Jubber, helping with the cooking and talking recipes. South African cuisine always has lots of vegetables and so it’s my kind of meal! We had cheesy spinach, sweet potatoes and salad with pickles, along with our creamed chicken. So excited to try these new recipes and add to my South African repertoire! I love the mix of culture here and the influence on food and fashion. It’s always an adventure to try a South African recipe as everything is called for in grams and mililiters and the ingredients are often new to us Americans and something that needs to be researched where to buy and how to use. You know it’s a beloved and delicious recipe when the pages have food spills and are well worn. I love it!😜🤪
The missionaries gave us a message after lunch and Elder Ramanlal played his ukulele — he’s from Hawaii after all — and serenaded us. He sang “Oh Lord, My Redeemer.”