An African Mormon Wedding

Malvern works with us at the area office.  We went to his wedding last Saturday.  He was married in the temple, but because they have so many non-member family members they often get married in the chapel as well.   At the beginning of the ceremony, the Bishop announced that there would be no smoking or drinking in or around the church.  Rather different.  They had 3 speakers, a musical number, and then the Area Seventy married them.

After the ceremony the fun began.  Everyone went outside and broke into ceremonial singing.  Everyone danced (except for all the Senior Missionaries who were too busy taking pictures) and all were singing.  There is no age limit--children on up.  This little lady was over 80 years old and she led the way.  And, of course, the ladies were doing the high-pitched trill that means, "We are so-o-o happy!"

Ward Conference at Kwa Guqa

The Bishop called and asked for some help with his newly formed ward choir.  We left at 6:20 A.M. to make it in time for an 8:00 A.M. choir practice.  The choir arrived at 8:50 and church started at 9:00.  That's called "Africa Time" we were told by the Bishop.  The young Elder from Gilbert, Arizona (Elder Howard I think) was very nervous about the lack of preparation.  I said not to worry, angels will come and help out.  Well, they certainly did or else the Africans just know how to perform.  We began the hymn, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing," and suddenly I could hear multiple parts. It was so beautiful!  That's typical of the African, however.  They can't read music but they have wonderful ears and can hear the harmonies.  We were educated about Africa and music.  Stupid in Africa does not mean you are dumb, it means you can't or won't sing.  So consequently, everyone sings out strong.  Relief Society uses no piano and they harmonize with soprano, alto, tenor, and today their was even a deep bass voice from the back row.  It's quite a treat I must say!

Our First Rugby Match

 We watched The Blue Bulls vs
The Sharks.  Here they are lined up to

start.  They say Rugby is like going

to war--it's that serious over here.

A true Rugby player seems to have

no neck.  Just shoulders that attach at

the jaw line.  Rugby is historically the

game of the Whites while Soccer is the

game of the Blacks.

The throw in from the side lines is

quite acrobatic. They lift the player

above their heads to reach the ball.

Perhaps someday Angie will

create a 'dance of the athlete'.
This should definitely be in there somewhere.

The "scrum" is the battle for the ball.
I still can't quite figure it out, but I do
know the ball is not supposed to be thrown
forward.

Again, it looks more like a dance move
to me.  I apologize to all of the Rugby
fans.  It's just one person's opinion.

Finally, the ball escapes and the race
for the goal begins.

If they make it past the goal line, it
is called a "try."  That's worth 6 points
if they make it.

Number 11 (a Black Man) is one of the
top two players in South Africa.













This is the kick for the goal posts.
It's just like a field goal in football and
it's worth 3 points as well.

My opinion:  I like football much better
because it seems to be more intricate
with multiple plays, etc. But, Rugby's
not bad.  It could probably grow on me.
Now I need to tackle Cricket.  Ugh.
Looks pretty boring on TV.

A Miracle in Namibia

Sister Whomba Nashiwaya is the Public Affairs Director of Namibia (in the middle).
We met with Reverend Nakamhela of the Anglican Church and with Father Mosemedi
of the Catholic Church to discuss a Helping Hands Event and a Multi-Cultural Christmas
Choir Event.  The Reverend suggested a wonderful event to work together at the city cemetery and the
Catholic Sister Brenedict got very excited about the Choir idea.  Trying to work with the other churches
is very important in Namibia, and Whomba made great progress.

The Miracle of Namibia was Sister Shikongo.  The visas for the missionaries are going
to be denied as of this month.  President and Sister Ladel (of the Mission Presidency),
ourselves, and others were trying everything to influence the powers that be to stamp their
visas and get them back in.  The night before we were to leave, Sister Shikongo arrived from
Sweden.  She came to Windhoek (the capital city) to have surgery on her hip.  In the 1990's,
she was exiled from Namibia because of her political affiliations.  She went to Sweden, destitute and
alone, and the members encircled her with love and support.  When she came to Namibia and heard of the missionary problems, she was incensed.  Since the party (SWAPO) who she was and is a member of is now in power in Namibia, she determined to set things straight for the missionary visa problem.
She went the next day to the President of the Country.  It's a long story and it's still continuing, but she
has made a huge dent in the situation.  And we know the fasting and prayers of all the members in the 2 branches brought this miracle to pass.  It is evidence once again that we go forth in faith and do all that we can to solve our problems, and then the Lord will step in and miracles happen.
problems, and then the Lord will step in and finish the things that we are not able to accomplish. 

A New Country--Namibia!

The following are a few shots from the Namib Desert--the biggest Sand Dunes in the World.  We could
just imagine our grand kids and some four-wheelers.  What a day that would be!

I think these trees were imports.  All we saw were miles and miles of sand.

I wish we could have stayed until sunset.  It's supposed to be spectacular.  However, after our
episode traveling after dark in Swaziland, we decided to head for home.  We were supposed to
see tons of warts hogs and baboons along the way but unfortunately we were in a wild rain storm
going and coming.  Fantastic lightning and thunder show,  however.

The entrance to Sampkomund, the city next to the Namib Desert.

Swapkomund was originally a German settlement so there
is a German feel to the city today.

The children coming home from school.  Everyone walks everywhere.
There are not very many individual cars.  And there was no grass
nor trees--just sand.

This is where you would buy a 6-pack of soda.  It's always called
a bottle store--and it is also a liquor store.

These adorable 14-year old girls were so excited to meet and talk
to some Americans!  They couldn't stop giggling.  We were like
celebrities to them.

This is a home for termites.  They can get as tall as 20 feet.  The
baboons will sit around these mounds and poke a stick into them.
When they pull out the stick, it will be loaded with termites which
they then eat.

We loved the name of this restaurant (?)  We decided not to eat
here, however.

A soccer field and grandstand.  Fairly primitive by serviceable.

Surprise visit with Steve Mann

What a fun surprise for us the other day.  Our golfing ladies said that Steve Mann was out in the hall and sure enough it was our friend from Parma, Idaho.  The Mann's and the Robert's farms were close by and Grandpa worked on their farm a lot growing up.  They were both in the Nyssa First Ward as well.
Steve is very involved in humanitarian efforts in Africa.  He has worked with Aids Education and is currently working on a new idea to help the unemployed of Africa (of which there are many) to learn how to be entrepreneurs.  He was the Mission President in Durban a few years ago.

The Lady Golfers from Zimbabwe

Cecilie Lundgreen, a native of Norway, became a professional golfer in 1998.  To her credit, she
has the reputation for hitting the longest ball for any woman.  In addition to her professional golf career,
she runs the Norwegian chapter of Eyes for Zimbabwe.  "There I was, in the rural areas of Zimbabwe watching young children being given such a great gift as their eyesight. . .The excitement and emotions could be felt and touched.  My life has not been the same since."

The lady golfers ran a workshop for us and it was so much fun.  Of course Elder Roberts was a natural, and I actually had a great time as well.  Maybe that could be a pastime for us when we get home

Laurette Maritz (Lolly) is South Africa's top lady golfer.  She has a quiet dignity
that comes from knowing who she is, not who the world says she is.  She has the distinction of
sinking 11 holes in one while on the golfing tour!  She has been very involved with
"Eyes for Zimbabwe."  She reminded me so much of Aunt Laura.  She even kind of looks like her.

.

 

Reeve Nield is a current coach the Ladies European Tour specifically for Laurette Maritz and Cecilie (Cece) Lundgreen.  She and her family have served for years the people of Zimbabwe with "The Eyes of Zimbabwe" Program.  Thoba works with us in Public Affairs and this is her granddaughter, Mazzy.