The Directional Sign Project

     The need for road signs became evident to us as we tried to find church after church in Gauteng, South Africa.
Not only did many of the churches have no addresses, but the streets around the churches had no names.  We
asked the Physical Facilities Department at the Area Ofice and their response was:
   
     1.  We have wanted road signs for 8 years but the government officials do not like the church so it's an
impossible task.

Well, guess what, as we began visiting with one after another, we found them most receptive and accommodating.
But, first of all we had to find the right person, in the right department, in the right building, in the right city,
etc. etc.  That proved to be a very time consuming task.  We decided that perhaps that was another big problem
for this project:
 
     2.  No one had the time necessary to devote to a project of this kind.

The Stake Presidents were all in agreement that we needed the signs so we began our quest to procure approximately 200 directional signs for our churches across SouthAfrica.

                                                           " Tender Mercies were many"
 
 We were taught some valuable lessons as we tried our best to do our missionary work in Africa:
     1.  There are no co-incidences when the Lord is involved.
We saw and felt the guidance of the Spirit everyday as we tried to find and talk to the right people.  Just a few examples of our experiences:
     Ekhuraleni South Government Official, Thuso, after several visits said we had to go to 3 different places
and obtain zoning certificates before he could send the applications on to the next step.  We were moving to
Cape Town the very next day so we were in a time crunch.  Nevertheless, we set out to accomplish what he
asked.  First place, he went with us and that one only took about an hour to complete.  Then we drove to the
next place and the computer was down so we were told to come back tomorrow.  We were tempted to give up,
but Elder Roberts went into an office and explained our plight.  The secretary said the computers were down
but I guess we could talk to the head of their department.  After talking to him for a few minutes he said, "This
is ridiculous.  I'll just waive the fee and write out your certificate right now."
     We left and then remembered we had forgotten to give him our CD of religious music.  Elder Roberts went
back in and the director was in the process of changing the policy for how to handle things when the computer
is down.  Lon gave him the CD and then as he was leaving . . . he met Brother Rob Piccolo who had helped us
with the location for the signs in Benoni Stake (quite a distance from where we were.)
    He said, "Elder Roberts, I knew I was going to find someone when I stopped here. My son is in the emergency
room and needs a blessing.  Will you come with me please."
    We followed him to the hospital, I had oil in my purse, and they were able to give the young man a blessing so
that he wouldn't lose a finger that had been badly cut.  (His finger turned out fine by the way.)
     We then continued on to the last place, knowing full well that the office could be closed for the day.  We went
into the office and asked the man there to help us.  He said, "No problem.  We'll just waive the fee because we are
all shut down for the day."
     When he stepped out of the room to get the certificate  . . . the secretary was looking at us with a look of
amazement on her face.  "He never does that!" she said.  "But, when you see so much love coming from both of
you, how can anyone resist whatever it is you ask."
     We knew so forcefully that it was the Sprit of the Lord communicating with the people in that office.  It's very humbling to be in that situation and know you are an instrument in the Lord's hands.
     Often the officials would say, "You're lucky you caught me.  I was't supposed to be here today but I just came
in for a few minutes."
     Or once a man was walking down the hallway, and we asked him if he was the one we needed to talk to---
"Why yes, I am.  My name is Philip Nice."
     Or another day in East London, South Africa, the right person could not be found and then we saw a woman
named Khush walking down the hall and come to find out she was the person over signs for that area.  Or we
needed to talk to Thoso on another day and he wasn't in.  We waited for the elevator to leave and it was over
5 minutes that we waited.  Then the elevator came to our floor, but the door didn't open but went down to a
lower floor instead.  In a few minutes, the door opened and there was Thuso.
   
     2.  The Spirit is there helping us in all that we do. but we don't recognize His help,

     What a shame that we often ignore the presence of the Holy Ghost in our lives everyday helping us with
the small things of life.  Out mission has helped us to focus more each day and we have learned to recognize
His presence.  I know it's had to express the presence of the Spirit in words  It's one of those "you had to be there"
kind of times.  But we know without a doubt that this is the Lord's work and to quote a good missionary friend,
Sister Linda Pugmire, "every part of the vineyard is important."
   

After finishing our work in East London and Port Elizabeth, we went to the very  bottom
of South Africa to Cape Angelus.  This is the African Blue Crane which is
endangered and apparently hard to find.

The Light House from the early days.  The explorer Vasco da Gama from Portugal
was the first to explore a way to India around the tip of Africa.

Here is the spot where the two oceans meet.  The cold Atlantic meets the warm waters of
the Indian.  The Atlantic Ocean has the large animals that we love to eat and the Indian
Ocean has the beautiful tropical fish.

I can only imagine the fierce storms the early explorers must have experienced.

Bishop Matswagothata from Botswana

     Bishop Matswagothata is an inspiring Bishop of the Broadhurst Single Adult Ward.  

One day, as we sat together in his office, he shared this touching story of faith and 

the principle of brotherly love.

     Bishop's friend, Brother Langston, joined the church around 1990.  Something went 

awry and he lost his membership and became very angry, which is often a common reaction.

  Years ago he had actually been Bishop Matswagothata's senior companion as a home teacher.

     Bishop decided to start emailing his friend about once a month to just check in and say hello.

After several months, Brother Langston sent back an answer saying, "I'm not interested in the 

church.  I want nothing to do with it.  Please stop sending me emails."

     The Bishop answered, "I once had a home teaching companion and we went to visit an 

older brother who had left the church and he asked us not to come again.  You answered him 

by saying--I love you too much to not return,"

     "So brother, I say to you now--I love you too much to quit writing to you."

     Well, time goes by.   The Bishop got busy and he missed a few months.  Brother Langston 

them sent him a long email and asked him, "Why have you quit communicating with me?"

     So, of course the Bishop began to respond more diligently.

     Then Brother Langston gets married and has two children (now ages 5 and 2.)  The Bishop and

he go to lunch one day and the Bishop asks, "How long are you going to keep this going?  

You have two children and you're not teaching them about God.  Take them to church!"

     He answers quietly, "I can't.  There is only one church and that is the LDS church."

     "Well, then,"  the Bishop replies, "Come back."

     Slowly, he begins his way back.  He goes to the Young Adult Ward where Bishop 

Matswagothata is the Bishop.  He wears a blue shirt and sits at the back.  Then he changes to 

a white shirt, and then to a suit and tie.  Currently, he is bringing the family to church with him.

     Now here is the interesting part that concerns our mission a bit.  He tells the Bishop that 

he may miss a few meetings because he is going to run for a Government Office in Parliament.  Botswana, like most African nations, has constant issues with visas for the missionaries to be in 

their country,  To have a member in Parliament would be an invaluable friend for the church.  

The Lord moves in mysterious ways to accomplish moving the church forward in this land.

     This Bishop's tireless efforts for several years as a dedicated home teacher and friend, will 

most likely evolve into a significant blessing for the church in Botswana.

     

Conferences with the Cape Town Missionaries

Cape Town Zone Conference included 41 missionaries.
There are missionaries from 20 different countries.   

There are no sister missionaries serving in South Africa
at the present time for safety concerns.  We miss their
contribution here.  Maybe it will change soon.

We had a delicious dinner and the missionaries were each
given a small Christmas gift.  

They played the random gift exchange game and really
seemed to have fun together.

Sister Roberts, Sister Smith, Sister Henderson, Sister Wood, Sister Richens, and Sister Oldham.

Thanksgiving Day we joined with all of the Senior Missionaries from Cape Town and enjoyed
a delicious feast at the Mission Home.  President and Sister Wood were such gracious hosts
and we had a wonderful day together.  Here we went to a local park to view the beautiful
gardens.  Many, many plants from all over the world had been exported.  It was gorgeous.

Carols by Candlelight

Cape Town Stake had a fun event called Carols by Candlelight.  We had an enjoyable evening
singing carols and listening to readings and selected choirs.  It was outside on the lawn with
homemade candles.  It was fun to see all of the neighbors open their doors and windows to
enjoy Christmas Cheer with us.

The Stake Choir. . .

Primary Children. . .

In the middle of the evening, a flock of guinea fowl came walking around the fringe of our group.
It included several little babies.  They then flew to the top of the tree and joined in our singing.
Their cooing and clucking really added to the ambience of the evening.

This is their homemade candle.  They simply cut the top of a liter soda pop bottle and
covered the candle.  The wind is always blowing a bit here, so this kept the candles burning
though out the evening.  Yes, it did begin to melt a bit by the end of the evening, but it served its purpose.

Then we returned home to our beautiful paradise.

Public Affairs Training at Ivory Tree

We had the privilege of attending a Southeast Africa Public Affairs Training Meeting at Ivory
Tree in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve.  We went on a Game Drive at 5:30 A.M., were in
meetings all day, and then another Game Drive at 5:30 P.M.  This is Grandma back in the
teacher mode helping to define the role of Public Affairs in South Africa.  
(Tom Hatch and Jerry Murdock)

Grandpa is watching the sisters draw flowers and such (and we all know how important frills
are to Grandpa) on their chart for defining the important values needed.  Both men look at
little detached.  (Linda and Ron Pugmire, Kay Hatch, and Grandpa.)

Now that's a great shot of a wild animal nearing the endangered list.  Clark Hirschi is sitting 
in the front seat and is from SLC.  We appreciated his input as we struggled to define ourselves. 
 He is currently in a BYU movie in case you were wondering about the beard.  Tina and Jerry
Murdock are looking on in the back seat.

No, I don't think he is praying that the missionaries won't get
him.  This is the way a wart hog eats.

These two little brothers sure love each other.

Well, most of the time anyway.

Still searching for that perfect picture.

He may be small but deadly.

Okay boys and girls, you will enjoy this one.  I was watching this large hippo moving about in
the water when he suddenly stood up tall and "pooped" right in front of me.  And as he "pooped,"
 he spun is tail around in circles so that the poop flew in all directions.  That's the hippo form
of toilet paper, I believe.

This is for the ladies so that you can feel my distress.  We
went into our very nice accomodation after the evening
drive and were assaulted by about 150 insects of all kinds.

Most were crawling on the floor and on the mosquito netting
around our bed.  We asked for some bug spray and they
brought us a can that was nearly empty.  But, we were good
scouts and just went to bed.  No bites and we survived.

We had a wonderful time with the other missionaries (17 attended) and then we HAD to return
to our home in Cape Town.  This is our view every night from our little balcony.  Africa is
definitely a beautiful and diverse place.  We love it here.

Our Namibian Friends on Monday

Monday morning we started the day at Welfare Square with a tour of the Bishop's Storehouse.

Members of the church who are in need meet with the Bishop in their area and are given access to shop at the Bishop's Storehouse.  This service is also available to non-members within the 

ward boundaries.  The food is funded by other members of the church with fast offerings.  

The members fast for two meals and then donate the money that they would have spent on 

food to the church to help the poor and needy.  This is called a fast offering.

The bakery provides fresh bread daily.

To be prepared for any emergency that might happen, a supply of food is stored in 
individual homes.

 Huge silos store grain.

 We visited the Deseret Industries Store where anyone can donate old but usable items which
are then used to help those in need.  They are sold at reasonable prices and the money is then 
used to support activities at the Humanitarian Center and to provide jobs for disabled individuals.

Not included in this picture is a sweet, young lady who greeted us as we entered the store.  
She has some problems that would make working in a regular store difficult, but at
 Deseret Industries she is given a job so that she can be self-sufficient.  She was such a 
cheerful person and is a great asset to the store.

Next stop--The Humanitarian Center.

Mission Statement for the Humanitarian Center.

Children as well as adults all over the world benefit from
the services of the Humanitarian Center.

Many of the clothes that are donated to the Deseret Industries
are bundled to be distributed throughout the world.   Often
the LDS Church is the first to arrive to help with emergency
relief for tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, etc.

Elder Roberts is visiting with a young lady from Somalia who has emigrated to America 
because of strife in her country,  At the Humanitarian Center, she is taught English skills, 
given a job, and when ready, is helped to find a job suitable to her individual needs.  People 
from all over the world are helped to find a new life in America.

A focus of the Church is to teach Self-Reliance. 

Volunteers are making quilts to send where needed, especially for relief to areas
of disasters.

Wheel Chairs are being donated for children and adults.  Chairman Kapere and Brother Bennion
discuss some of the needs in Namibia and Chairman Kapere shares current progress he personally
has made in providing wheel chairs to those in need in his country.

Following are some of the areas
of focus for The Humanitarian Center.

Significant aid has been sent to Namibia the past several years.

We then had an enjoyable lunch and Senator Waddops, President of the Utah Senate, joined us.  He
and Chairman Kapere shared thoughts and experiences concerning education and the importance
of the family.  They both agreed that early childhood education and nurturing of children is paramount to maintain a healthy society in a country.

A short drive to Provo, Utah and we visited the MTC
(Missionary Training Center) for the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints.  

Chairman Kapere asked the missionaries, "Why do you want to go to Africa for two years?"  
And the reply was, "Because we want to serve the people and be of help in the country that
we are sent."

All of these young missionaries will be serving in Portuguese speaking countries.  Many of the 
young Elders are going to Angola and they will be the first full time Elders in that country.

What a wonderful week-end we experienced.  Our daughter Heather was able to join us for 

our last meal together which was such a treat for us to have here there.   We came to love these 

two great government leaders as brothers and we look forward to a life-long friendship with 

them. We desire unity and love between The Church of Jesus Christ and the Namibian Government.