Tamiko and Brett

Dear Family,

I have had a wonderful experience today. I have made friends with Tamiko and Brett Sher. She is half Japanese and he was raised in South Africa. They are really good friends. I found him because I saw these beautiful handwoven throws in the airport over a year ago when we moved here. I didn't want to pay that price (does that surprise you?) so I e-mailed to the address on the card thinking there was a shop that sold in that wasn't in the airport. He e-mailed back and I found he is 10 minutes from here. They live in a lovely home with their business in their home. I fell in love with his pillows, throws, scarves, purses, etc. It is high end quality stuff and he sold anything to me wholesale. We've become friends. I've taken missionary couples over there...mission president's wives over there because it is such fun. Their house is lovely, their gardens are lovely, and their workman are great as well as the beautiful things they have to sell. He will often call and say, "where have you been...come over" He likes my input with his new designs. They are all handwoven fabrics or African prints or Kuba cloths from Congo. ANYWAY, they have become good friends. They are in their very early forties.....artsy, kind, lovely people. He called a couple of weeks ago and wanted me to come over for a Christmas present they had for me. Well, I finally went today and took them gifts, but you won't believe what he gave me. He has a trunk with treasures in it that he has shown me before. He got them 20-24 years ago as he and his father went into the bush and would buy treasures from the people...mostly Zulus. He sold to dealers, collectors and the biggest African collection in the Smithsonian is from him. Also in the main museum here are things he sold to them. (By the way I went with another So. African friend to the bead collection in that museum and we went into the basement and she just kept pulling out drawers for us to see the massive African bead collection.....because I love the beads so.) He told me he was going to let me pick something from his collection for Christmas......you have to know that this collection means a great deal to him....it is valuable, but mostly an emotional collection. We sat on his living room floor and went through the collection and he told me about every piece....mostly being Zulu beadwork....bracelets, earrings, and many many belts. He also has some baskets, head rests, and a few dolls. It is mind boggling. I told him I couldn't choose as I didn't feel right about that. He gave me a beautiful Zulu necklace from the early 1940's. It is extremely valuable and very hard to find anymore. It is red, black, green, pink, yellow, and light blue. You can tell the age by the colors and size of the beads which he knows all about and about which I am learning. THEN he gave me a pair of Zulu earrings that the men wore. They are wooden, round, about 2 inches in diameter and they have mosaic like designs put on it with tiny, tiny nails. They are fabulous and have definitely been used. I treasure them. The earlobes are stretched those 2 inches to be able to wear them. I treasure the 2 hours going through his treasures and learning about it and hearing about the tales of meeting the people, and bargaining and dancing with them and becoming their friends. It is a lost venture now as the old treasures like these are gone and now it is dangerous to go and try because of the robbers. Some still go out for the new treasures which are still beautiful, but the old things like this are gone. It was quite a day. We are going to have them to dinner in January when the Andersons are here and he is going to show pictures of his trips into the bush and also show a ceremony with him and British Airways. He and some Nbele women designed the bright colors that are on the tail of those planes. I want you all to meet the two of them when you come. Ann has met him as have Ben and Isaac. We went to meet the owls that live in his trees. He talks to them every night. Enough.....just wanted to share the day with you. It was very special to me....couldn't get over it. I try to be spiritual every moment of my life but find I'm still worldly a lot too.......And I love it.

DR Congo Again

It really is hard to describe our impressions and experiences in the DR Congo last week. It truly is something I want to write about so that I can remember and also so others might feel what we feel as we travel there. We have made several trips there, and it continues to be place of poverty, joblessness, chaos, illness and even an underlying hostility that you can feel, but it also is a country of color, laughter, happiness, joy, talent and inventiveness that is so amazing. The drive from the airport is one of people, people and more people. There are hundreds of people on the side of road decked out in the most beautiful fabric of flamboyant color. They are busy walking, carrying, selling, talking, laughing, running, playing and just going about their everyday life. It reminds one on an ant hill with everyone going a different direction, but with great purpose.
We had one scary incident on that drive to the mission home. All of a sudden the traffic stopped because of an accident or something up ahead. We couldn't go forward or backward and there were dozens of people walking and many right next to the car. Most were students and I made eye contact with several and smiled and waved and they smiled and waved back. All of a sudden the waves changed and their hands turned over and they were asking for money. Their smiles became demanding looks and intense look and all of a sudden they were pounding on the car. It was very scary. Our driver, Eustach, had the space to turn around and he did so immediately and we went back to another route. From one second to the next the climate changed and I learned that in close quarters like that I can't make eye contact like I can in South Africa. We were glad to be on our way.
We trained all day on Saturday and that is always a wonderful experience. We couldn't get into the stake center because it was in the middle of Kinshasa and the roads were blocked off because of poles in the road on one street or a load of gravel on another street, or the metal plate that went over the sewer was out on another street so we parked out car in the middle of this area and walked about 4 or 5 blocks to the church. It was wonderful to see the way they live in that way. Little children were naked as they were bathing in the pan of water. There were chickens running around and children playing and laughing and following us, the white folks. We could see into their homes and courtyards all of dirt floors. We saw them cooking over their little fires, and one woman was delousing her child and many were doing the braids on their little girls. We loved it and they waved and smiled and we felt joy. The oasis in that village was the beautiful stake center which was an old house. I trained the women under a covered gazebo type structure which was wonderful because it was cooler there. Even though it was hard with the interpreter translating from French to English and sometimes from French to Lingala to English. In spite of it the women laughed with me and we learned together. I presented the new Health Manual that we had been working on and which was recently translated to French and they were thrilled to get it. We didn't have enough copies so we will print 200 more and send them up.
The most touching was Stake Conference on Sunday. We woke up in the middle of the night to a terrible storm....rain and wind. The next morning it had not stopped and we knew it would affect the attendance. When we arrived at the rented hall on the fairgrounds, which was a huge cement building with no windows and little light it was still pouring. When it was time to start there were 30 people there. We started a few minutes late because they were having trouble with the PA system. Slowly but surely the people began to arrive....in a slow steady stream. At one point a hired bus pulled right up to the door so they could dash in, but in that horrible downpour that was so severe that you could hardly hear, because of the rain on the tin roof, those people kept coming. I sat there with tears streaming down my face and Bill had tears in his eyes too as did the mission president and his wife as these wonderful Saints came in completely soaked in their Sunday best clothes and with beautiful smiles on their faces. They walked through mud and pot holes and a fields to get there. What a testimony to me of the goodness of those people. When they sang I thought the roof would come off. What a blessing to participate with them in that meeting.
There were 11 check points in the airport as we found our way to the plane on the tarmac. We were searched several times and when we finally lifted off for Johannesburg, we were thrilled to be going "home", but we knew we had had many experiences of a lifetime and we loved it.

Looking fabulous.... 

Beautiful baby... 

Making dinner? 

Shanna with mothers and kids in Mozambique. 

Mozambique

We just returned from Mozambique and our six days were very unique on many levels and we were very busy every minute. We had a great time and there are images in my mind that I'll never forget. The first day we did auxiliary training with all three organizations represented. It was great to watch our General RS President, Bonnie Parkin, teach and do her thing. She is very good at what she does and is very entertaining as well. I trained with her part of the time which was fun also. We went to church in the chicken coop on Sunday and it was great even when everything was in Portuguese. A darling little black boy gave at talk....luckily we had missionaries behind us translating. We then went to a missionary meeting, a fireside, and then dinner at the Mission Home and then back to the hotel to bed. From then on our schedul with the Red Cross was crazy. They had us on a bus going many places and it was great. We got to know some wonderful people who spend their lives serving others.Those Red Cross people are smart, compassionate and loads of fun. They also are very impressive professionally. We went to an orphanage with children whos parents have died of Aids. It was not clean. It was poor and those 80 children were very subdued as they sang to us. I think because there just isn't much stimulation there. They at least get gruel 2 times a day that is cooked over an open fire outside. They mash the soy beans with a long pole and add mashed peanuts when they have them for protein. They made something for us to eat that was deep fried in the back pot of grease that was on an open fire in the dirt. We graciously gave it to the children!!! All preparations were outside in the dirt with water from a well and all prepared in the open air as they don't have a kitchen. As least the children get some food and a roof over their head at night. We did use disinfectant afterwards as we had high fived the kids and shook hands and squeezed the children. I was hoping not to get scabies or ring worm or some such thing...but the interaction was worth it. We attended the measles campaign in several different locations and it was one of the most touching things I've ever seen. Up to a million children in Africa are dying of measles every year. Many that don't die have brain damage from the high fever, including many cases of cerebral palsy. This project is slowly eradicating the deadly disease. To us it is an incredible miracle and I'm proud that President Hinckley wants money spent this way. We saw lines and lines of children waiting to get their polio medicine and measles's shot. Some of the children were crying but most were stoic. At one place it was mothers with their babies on their backs and holding the hands of their other children. The mothers and children were clean and dressed in their best for the occasion. It was a sight I'll never forget. They were coming on trust as at first many though the needles might be tainted with the HIV virus and much education with radio and TV spots were used. There were posters every where. The church member spent 20,000 hours going door to door to teach about the event. They did a tremendous service as many don't have the media in their homes and the turn out was wonderful....93-94% of all children were inoculated. It is a modern day miracle to eradicate that deadly disease. At another location it was just children without their moms. Many children including 5-6 year olds were carrying a baby on their back. We sang with them...high fived, shook hands and touched heads again. They are too darling not to touch and they love the attention. We saw a school where HIV training was going on. It was being taught by the students WHO had been trained....with our interpreters it was fabulous. We went to a place where a well had been dug by the church and the Red Cross. It of course is a life changing project and we saw the five women who are in charge of the well take it apart and service it and then put it back together. It was quite a sight. Leave it to women!!!! It was a great experience to be part of life changing events. We are blessed to be in Africa.

Funeral

Dear Family, I must tell you about the funeral I
attended yesterday. Last Sunday as Bro. Malumalu was
teaching his Sunday School class he had a stroke and
after 2 days on life support he passed away. He was
about 6'2", handsome, articulate, and one of the best
teachers I've ever heard in my life. He was 50 years
old. It was a shock for the entire ward where he was
bishop at one time. He left a wife and 5 children
ranging from 10 to 18 years old. He was loved. The
funeral was Saturday and it was a very moving
experience. It started 1 hour late because they had
to wait for the body to be brought from the mortuary
and the family who were with the body. About 40
family members came in following the casket with much
wailing and crying and sobbing.....it was very loud.
I learned from my So. African friend who was sitting
next to me that some of those crying and wailing were
hired to do the sobbing. After they sat down, all was
reverent and quiet for a moment and then the 17 years
old daughter started waving her arms and crying and
sobbing out loud in anguish. That went on for 2-3
minutes and then she stopped. She had run away from
home 2 months before and had come home the night
before her father died. That was a blessing....they
made peace, but it was hardest on her. Then the
funeral began and the one conducting asked that the
visitors not smoke or drink on the grounds and he also
asked that there would be a reverent service. The
first 2 speakers were so eloquent and they were so
touching. They gave such peace a comfort to the
family as they spoke. Then the 5 children sang , "I
know that My Redeemer Lives". The boy played the
piano and the 4 girls or I should 3 girls sang...the
4th was just too overcome and had to sit down. Then
there were 7 or 8 testimonials by family members from
Congo....they were mostly in French...some had
translators and some didn't. One was speaking and
asked his friend on the spur of the moment to come up
and play the piano and sing.....he wasn't fabulous but
it was from his heart and as he sang many in the
sudience sang the song softly with him.....it was most
touching. Then the 15 yearold spoke about an essay
that she had just written for an english class....it
was about her father and how she loved and respected
him and that her dream was one day to be able to buy
him a landrover so they could take the family on trips
into the bush and have a great time. She said I
didn't know that he would be takin a different ride.!
It also was so touching. After the closing prayer the
widow who was sitting on the front row started shaking
her arms high above her head and she wailed and sobbed
and cried and then the casket went out to the Relief
Socity room and all of the family followed wailing and
screaming and crying and sobbing....including the paid
mourners. As they did this very very slowly then
every second or two someone would rise from the
audience and would give a loud cry or wail and it
seemed to it was to let that mother and family know
that they were deeply mourning with them. When they
got to the RS room you knew when they had opened the
casket for viewing as the wailing level went up 100%.
I truly was touched that they were able to mourn in
such a way that many of us have felt at times, but
because of our traditions we seem to keep bottled up
except in private. I was really in awe at the new and
old traditions coming together. There was the proper
service as well as the part of mourning that I'm sure
these people had seem their mothers and fathers and
grandparents do. It was very touching to me to bring
every aspect of mourning and learning and comfort into
the realm of the day.They were ALL in African or
Congolese dress as that is where his home is. That
was a magnificent sight. I felt it a privilege to
know him and learn from him. The flowers were so
simple....something that of course I would notice.
Two little glasses of yellow daffodils were put on a
stand and then they brought another little glass of
purple sweet peas to compliment the yellow. It was so
simple and lovely and appropriate to the
circumstances. The women of the ward fixed a feast
for everyone who came. That toowas sooooo touching as
many of these people can't afford to feed themselves.
We didn't stay for the viewing or the food but I truly
felt it a privilege to be part of such a poignant day.
Incidentally, he was teaching about life after death
when he collapsed. What irony.

A long hard weekend of no fun

Hi Everyone,

We have been back a day and we had a wonderful time. We drove this time as you know and believe me South Africa is a beautiful country. ......it is sooo beautiful. We were in high mountains that were a little reminiscent of Tahoe which was beautiful, lush and green and then down in areas that looked a little like driving to SL only the trees had huge thorns and more grass. We drove through a forest fire right on the road that nobody seemed to care much about and villages where water and sticks were carried on heads. We saw many shacks made of tin, but each had a little property around it for a little garden. Some of the towns looked so prosperous and neat and clean. We just saw one extreme to the other in a few minutes. We felt we were in central valley sometimes with the orange trees and avocado trees as well as many fields of mangos. It was lovely. We loved the three branches of the church we visited. We are ALWAYS overwhelmed with the knowledge of the Gospel the people have and their testimonies and sweet humility. The reverence in the meetings are perfect and the singing was wonderful. I played the electric keyboard as no one else could play. They usually use a tape recorder, so the chorister told me the singing was extra wonderful because it was so great to have regular accompaniment. It was fun because I was facing the audience as I played so the voices were basting me and I could see the huge smiles as they sang. And as is always the case every deacon (yes deacons) and child, in fact every single person sings with all their heart. Oh What fun that is. Dad and Steven Snow golfed and Phyllis and I rode the carts with them...not to watch them golf particularly, but to be on that BEAUTIFUL course and to LOOK for ANIMALS. We saw many wart hogs, crocodile, hippos, impala, but no giraffes or elephants. It was sooo much fun and the weather was perfect. We saw many beautiful unusual birds.We then drove over to Krueger Game Reserve and we had 3 hours before the park closed and didn't expect to see a whole lot, but as we drove through we saw giraffe, elephants, baboons, zebras and LIONS!!! We for sure didn't think we 'd see lions that time of day, but as we rounded a corner there was a beautiful male and female lion sitting on the road looking at each other. We sat a watched and took pictures and she finally got up and strolled into the bush and he slowly followed her. There was a HUGE elephant that took us on. As we stopped to look at him and "her", he turned, raised his trunk and flapped his ears (not a good sign) and slowly started for us.....in that position. We slowly moved, but he kept coming so we left. He could have taken our car in a minute. After the flat tire episode, we are a Little more cautious. What fun. We also saw the food of the bush....impala, a kudu and several other antelope type animals which are very beautiful. We saw beautiful waterfalls, and many other sights. This is where we hope all of you will be able to go. Ann and Ben went there and loved it as we did. When we get our pictures onto the computer we'll send them along....we are still slow with that.

We can't wait to see all of you and hope all is well. Todd got a part in Much Ado About Nothing which is exciting. I know Ann and Ben are fine as I can talk to her on Skype. She is in charge of the ward roadshow so is in deep rehearsals. We heard from John and Elizabeth and Michael and Carol before we left. I'm sure you are all finishing up the school year...or I guess are finished. I'm bringing a couple of projects for the kids to do at the beach houses....something sort of African. It will be great fun.

It will be very hard to have the Snows go. They are such wonderful neighbors. We had many, many laughs with them on this trip and many sweet experiences together also. They are sooo great. I want all of you to meet them. They know about all of you.....maybe someday. Well, guess I'll go back to bed. Hope to hear a line or two from you.

Love Mom

Mac Mac waterfall

Male and female lions who were lying on the road. He then nudged her off as we approached.

Elephant who was unhappy with us and moving toward us.

Black with white or white with black?

Baboons!!! Can you find the baby?

Impalas gathering on termite mound

You can tell he is an old giraffe because he is so dark

Crocodile with golfers Elder Parmley and Elder Snow in the background. Can you find the turtle?

In front of our cabin a warthog is eating on the golf course

Largest baobob tree in the world

Congo

We just arrived home from Congo and as always I run to the computer to see if any of my kids have e-mailed. Often one of you has written or sent a picture and we love it. Thanks. My eyes are really tired (if that makes sense) from all the visuals we've had these past few days.

(Right now it is hailing and lightning like crazy!) I almost can't believe what me eyes saw in that very tired, poor country. I'm going to start at the end because that is on my mind the most. Running from the conference where 1700 members were in attendance we made a dash for the airport and I mean a dash!!!! President Waldram is quite the driver and he wanted us to get there. We wanted to get there too and there was another plane out until Tuesday if we missed it. We went through potholes and over "things" in the road. We drove on the wrong side of the street a few times to miss potholes and trucks and goats. In one area particularly there are dozens of people going here and there. They are walking, selling something, riding bikes,buying something, talking, laughing and generally just being busy. It is hard to describe, but the scene is just full of color everywhere and the color is on the people. The fabrics are fabulous.....bright colors with and unique patterns. The dresses are long....sometimes 2 piece and sometimes one. Often there are matching fabrics tied on their heads in the most beautiful fashion you can imagine. ....sticking out and up. If the women don't have head regalia on then they have wonderful hair. The hairs is either wigs or extensions fixed in hundred of ways. It is glorious. The men wear bright colors too.....a good to describe it might be "pajama-like". The surroundings are colorful and vivid. There are many things on the street to buy...furniture, car parts, fruit and vegetables stacked in beautiful ways. There are chickens and goats wandering and hardboiled eggs being carried on heads to sell one at a time, but the cartons are tens layers high. We see onions and garlic in mounds to sell, and beans and the white meal like stuff (can't remember the name, but it is not corn) that is the staple, but doesn't have much nutritional value. We've seen people hawking water in bags from the Congo river, fish hanging on a pole, and one I love are nurseries along the way where you can stop and buy plants that are planted mostly in plastic bags. There will be rows of these containers on the side of the road just waiting for purchase. It truly is a mass of humanity. We didn't take pictures because the people hate that and yell at you and raise their fist so our pictures will only be in our head.

The airport is another sea of people....everyone wanting to help you....crowding around you. Pres. Waldram has hired one man to help us and he took us through 7 checkpoints before we got to the waiting room. It was hot.....humid....and not air conditioned. Our luggage was searched 3 times before we boarded the plane. The last time was on the tarmac in the blazing hot sun. We were in the intense heat in the sun for about 15 minutes. We were dripping and soaked by the time we got on the plane Everyone was soaked and grumpy when they got on the plane. Some were very loud with complaints. Then this handsome blackman got on the plane. He was dripping....his shirt was soaked, his face was wet with perspiration. He stopped and smiled this huge smile and said, " the important part of the journey is getting home." He was saying this is hard, but we can do this because we are almost home. I loved it. People smiled back and some said, "yeh". It put a dfferent spin on the horrible 2 hours we had just spent getting through the entire ordeal. . At these various check points there were not any lines, only people surrounding the counters or desks, waving passports and boarding passes and whatever. Everyone is loud and of course speaking french so we didn't know what anyone was saying. In spite of Anton helping us, it is REALLY something and we were glad to get on that plane bound for our home in Joberg. We had all but one meal at the Waldroms home as there is only one restaurant that they dare go to. We had some whipping cream on something which was like gold as it was $13 for the pint. The food is soooo expensive and many things are not available. The Wardroom go home in July (mission president) after 2 years instead of the usual 3 because it is considered a hardship mission which it is. They have had some great experiences, but it has been hard and they are about ready to go. They have been great.

The meetings were great.....I think!!!! It was all in french so what ever my interpreter told me I believed. Actually, it was great fun. Auxiliary training is always my favorite thing and even with language barriers going on it is fun. Women are the same everywhere. They want to look pretty (and they do), they love their families and want to serve them, they are anxious to do their best in church and they were happy and fun. We laughed and cried together as women do. We testify of the Savior together and we sang together, which was so great. Let me tell you, those Africans really can sing and in the Congo they sing at the top of their lungs. Oh what a thrill. In the conference session with the 1700 people, I thought the roof would come off with the singing. I loved it...at times, I was in tears. These people are soooo very poor....,but to look at them you would never know it. They were groomed, clean and happy. The Gospel brings joy, service, education and oh so many things. There were baby twins on the front row and I couldn't take my eyes off them. They were soooo very cute.....2 little girls 3 months old dressed fit to kill. I just watched them every minute.....as I did the other children. I love the children. Josh, I met some 8 year old boys and I thought of you. I had the interpreter ask them if they had been baptized, and they said,"oui, oui". I winked at one of them on the first row and all of conference he tried to wink back. He couldn't so he took his finger and held one eye shut. How cute is that.

Tomorrow Sister Snow and I are going to the Twilight Boys Home to take pictures for Dwight Jackson's service project. He is have the youth of the stake make 70 quilts for these boys so we are sending pictures to show where they are going. We are also going to a children's handicapped place to teach the children how to play UNO. We had some little stands made to hold the cards because they can't hold them with the handicaps they have. I'm also preparing for the Mission President's Seminar in Cape Town that starts next Monday and then the next we the auxiliary women are coming. Sister Susan Tanner the General YW President is coming and the new General Primary President, Sister Lant, and Kathleen Hughes a counselor in the RS. We have a lot of preparing for them too. We will host them in Kenya and Uganda. They will really have more of an understanding of this part of the world very soon.

We loved our trip, but we are REALLY glad to be home. Congo is not an easy place to go, but it is worth it when we see the saints there. They are really pioneers as our ancestors were. They are paving the way for the generations to come. It is a blessing to serve. I'm so grateful for energy and good health. We miss you even though we are busy and we love you.

Love Mom and Dad

General Board Members

Cape Town Etc.

Dear Family,

We arrived home about an hour ago very tired but exhilarated too. We had a great trip, but a very busy one. i want to type this while it is still in my heart and if I wait until tomorrow when I have much to do it will not happen and then the moment and the memory is past. We leave for the Congo on Thursday Am so much has to be done. We were very busy with 4 cities, 4 mission tours and one leadership training and I taught RS today, so that is in 6 days time. I just feel very grateful that Dad and I have the energy to do all this and that my health allows such wonderful experiences, so I will not complain. We went to Port Elizabeth, East London, Cape Town and a city in Namibia which I can't spell and I am too tired too look it up or go find your father. We loved the missionaries in those cities and we were with them for about 5hours of training each time. I love being with them. They are exuberant, dedicated, happy but of course some are homesick or whatever, especially the new ones. It is wonderful to see the stages of growth as they go through the stages of a mission. It is a miracle in my mind to see these young people serving and testifying and growing. I love them. There are always one or 2 that I am drawn to to get to know a little and I love that.

Namibia is the place that stands out in my mind the most as that is where we were with the members of a tiny branch. They have a brand new building which replaces one that burned down about 2 years ago and it is lovely. They are so proud of their building that looms up and is quite a lovely sight in the middle of places that are not so lovely. First I have to tell you that we had trouble getting in the country. We traveled with the mission president and his wife and 3 assistants to the president so there were 7 of us, and when those young elders looking so neat and wonderful went up to the desk of immigration the officer saw all of us and said, "no, we will not let you into the country....there are too many of you." So we had to wait in a corner for at least an hour for someone to come and see us and then it took a long time to approve ;our entry. We honestly didn't know whether we would get in or not. We had to show return tickets and all sorts of documentations. That is the hardest it has every been for us, but we finally we given permission, found our luggage and were on our way to the hotel.

The next day after zone conference and a leadership training session with the leaders of this tiny branch we went to their branch dinner....the first they have ever had. There were probably 180 people there and they had gone to lots of trouble to cook a pig, chickens, and sausage on a spit in the back yard of the church. They had worked for days to do a few decorations and prepare the food. We were at the head table looking at the people and chatting as we were waiting to be served by the deacons and some YW. ( the boys always held one hand behind their back as they came in and served the food. They took this all very seriously. I loved them. In front of us were 2 1/2 tables of just children....ranging from about 3 to 13 years old. They didn't have any adults at their tables....I couldn't figure it out. When they finally started serving the juice (first) after about 45 minutes of waiting I watched as they put pitchers of juice on the tables. I could see that these children couldn't and were not going to pour the juice. I waited for their parents to help, but they didn't I supposed the were in the mad house kitchen trying to serve all these people. ..a first for the branch. I finally got up and went over and poured for them I loved it. I love the black children with their big black eyes and wonderful hair and great smiles. I told one little girl that I loved her hair as she had about 8 tiny ponytails sticking out all over. I asked her who did it and she didn't answer. i thought she maybe only spoke a tribal language so I asked slowly if her mother did it. She shook her head and said, "no, I did it". She was 7 years old. After I poured the drinks and encouraged a "thank you" the waiters brought a plate of rolls. Two or three of the boys stood up and started grab ( wanted to say BLC) the rolls. I took the plate and showed them how to take one and pass it and we did the same with the butter. While I was standing there with the children the served plates came with 2 salads and 1 sausage on each plate. I went to my seat and was a served plate with a big piece of pork, a sausage, and a half breast of chicken. On our table were salads served home style. I couldn't eat it. I knew the water wasn't safe....I knew the vegetables had been cleaned in the water. I had seen the kitchen. I wasn't hungry...actually I was tired. I didn't drink the punch because of the water. I moved the food around and just enjoyed the people that came by and just watching and visiting. After a while the children had finished their food and they were having a hard time waiting for people to finish and it was hard waiting for dessert, so the children were allowed to go out in the fenced in yard of the church while others finished. There was one beautiful little boy dressed in army fatigues that stayed at the table. He caught my eye and we smiled at each other....several times. I finally motioned with my finger for him to come to me. He looked around to see who I was motioning to and finally understood that it was him. He came over and I asked him if he wanted my juice.....all the children were thirsty and had had one cup. I he said, " no, I would like your meat.".. I gave him my plate......and he took it back to his table and started devouring it with his fingers almost in a frenzy. i couldn't believe my eyes. Dad and I watched this, and then 2 other boys came back in and sat by him and he shared and they did the same thing....devouring like they were really hungry. Then the children came in for dessert. Many had second helpings and I noticed they were wrapping some of it up in a napkin. A former branch president then sat by me and he noticed my interest in these children. He said, "do you see that little boy that is chewing on something? (he was my little friend and I had seen him chewing long after the meat was gone, but couldn't figure it out) HE IS ONE OF OUR ORPHANS. He is eating chicken bones. He won't stop until every piece of the bones are gone. He then finished the chicken bone and started on the pork bone that he had in a napkin. It all made sense all of a sudden. There were no parents to sit by them and care for them....the little girl had done her own hair, they were hungry. There is a woman in that branch who has opened her home to aids orphans. The ward helps when they can, but of course they are so poor there is not much they can do....but they gave them some food at the dinner. They bring them to church when they can, but there are only about 8 cars in the branch so that is hard. They put a new roof on her home recently and they do what they can. It was quite touching. I couldn't sleep thinking of that beautiful little boy eating the bones. I realized after and Dad noticed it too, that he had a distended stomach. They get one meal a day of a maize mush.....it looks like cream of wheat, but the elders say it is flavorless. It is simply for survival. I thought of all the food we throw away, of the blessings we have with food and home. This morning, when we went to church the orphans were all squeezed on the front row looking clean and neat and ready for church. I don' t think any of them are members. One little 8 year old had 3 inch heels on (sandals) that someone had given. She could hardly walk, but she took care pf the little girl next to her during the meeting. If she moved or looked behind her and squirmed, the older one shook her or chastised her. They all tried to sing...they loved the hymn books and during the meeting they took turns just turning the pages. I'm sure they don't have any books....when you don't have much food, you don't have books. My heart was a little heavy, but then I looked at the wonderful side of this....these orphans are not on the street. They do have some food. They have clean clothes. They have woman who loves them They all have Primary teachers and they love Primary. They have a roof over their heads and someone cares. I love those people for accepting them and helping them the best they can. I have tears as I think of it and as I think of my grandchildren who have wonderful parents in their lives who love them and feed and clothe them and teach them about the Savior. My cup runneth over with gratitude as I come home exhausted in a good way. I feel so blessed to have these experiences....to be with the people. I loved teaching RS and being witht he women today. We laughed and cried together as we would anyplace. Their lives are hard, but the Gospel brings them peace and purpose and they are learning self reliance as they learn about gardening and education and work and doing and leading. The beautiful RS president in her bright yellow blouse came up after the meeting and said I think I get it (I talked mostly about Visiting teaching and being our brothers keeper) now. I have only been a member 2 years and I have so much to learn, but I love the Gospel and I love helping the sisters. I"m going to be better. I gave out RS stickers again, and said put this where you want.....book, mirror, paper, etc. and a young girl about 19 or 20 up and said, "Look, Sister Parmley, I put my sticker on my cell phone, cause you know we girls are always on the phone.!!! I loved it. Many live in townships with one room houses, but they do have cell phones, and I can see that get much joy and communication....I can't judge anything anymore. Dad teaches so well as he instructs the missionaries and the leaders. He has a great ability to teach. He and I are ike frick and frack a little, but he always helps me with my suitcase and carries for me and opens doors and loves me. It is good. We miss you and love you. It is good we are busy. The Snows greeted us when we got home with an open door and food and love. We will miss them sooo much as their assignment has changed. They go back to Utah on August 1st. We'll enjoy them until then. I'm going to bed. I love you. Mom

Lesotho

We had a wonderful trip for two days to Lesotho. This is a small country in the south of Africa. It is a tiny country ruled by Parliament and sovereignty. The purpose of out trip was to be part of a humanitarian effort where they were giving away 500 wheelchairs from the Church. We drove with Elder and Sister newby and we had a great time.
The drive took us about nine hours going because we were having a great time going a beautiful way to see the sights. ...and see sights we did. Truly, South Africa and Lesotho are beautiful countries with many beauties of nature. We went into a National Park by mistake and it was glorious. All four of us in the car were gazing at a beautiful golf course and missed the turn until we were all the way through the park and were we ever glad we had made a wrong turn. We were in the most beautiful mountains with glorious rock formations that were very reminiscent of Bryce and Zions. It was not quite the same but we saw similarities. However it was very lush and green from the rain the past few days, so it SW quite a sight with the rock formations and green hills and mountains and waterfalls. There we saw cattle being led by typically dressed Leshoto cowboys with pants and boots and beautiful blankets around them or over one shoulder. They had all sorts of hats from cowboy hats to baseball hats. It was fun to see. It was so wonderful that we got on the wrong road because on the way back through the park we saw rare mountain zebras that were beautiful and strange and they were by some cattle. Also on the way back through the park we saw many baboons climbing on the rocks and boulders. It was great.
We went with Elder and Sister Newby and they are great fun. He is the Executive Secretary and she is at the desk downstairs all day everyday so we see them every day several times and have gotten to know them very well.
There was a detour for about 30 minutes that took us through fields of corn and on narrow dirt roads that were full of holes and bumps and it was awful driving. At one point a huge truck was stopped because he was stuck in the mud and so cars were stopped in both directions and many people were standing trying to help and just milling around. It was a little unsettling for a while as we were pinned in between cars and ditches and mud on either side. We were glad our prayers had been specific that morning and we trusted and exercised faith. We were the only white people for miles and miles around and we'll just say we were thrilled to get moving.
We really felt quite safe, but your mind goes a little crazy knowing what can go on, but we arrived safe and sound and barely before dark which is good. Black people are very hard to see in the dark and there are few street lights and many people walking everywhere.
The next day was the highlight as we went to the palace for the ceremony. Your Dad presented the wheelchairs to the queen in a very sweet way and she accepted them formally and then the wheelchairs were brought out to 20 handicapped people. Many, many more were to be given the next two days in different areas. During the speeches the handicapped children and adults sat by their families who were struggling to hold them up and keep them comfortable. We could see the caregivers were really going to benefit as most were very disabled and had to be carried everywhere. During the middle of the ceremony we heard a person making tremendous noises.....very loud and almost like a warrior noise that you have heard in the movies. I thought it was one of the handicapped people in the back that couldn't control themselves. As it turned out it was a mother whose child was handicapped who was making these noises out of joy. She did it off and on through every speech and then when her child received his chair she went crazy with that noise and tears were streaming down her face. It was really touching. We found out it was a Zulu response of joy. It was so touching to see all of them receive their chairs. One wife was had feeding her husband and they were thrilled. One child was about 4 years old and had never been off his mother's back except to sleep at night. She has carried him all these years because he couldn't sit or stand. We all had tears of joy for them and are so grateful for a church who believes in giving and sharing. It was also very touching to see the members of the branch come in with their "helping hand aprons" with hands on the front and the name of the church on the back. They had put the wheelchairs together and were passing them out and then helping the people into the trucks to go home. It was fun to see some being wheeled home as we left. They waved and laughed and smiled as we passed them. What a thrill to see such joy and to see what a difference one chair will make in their lifetime. Many spare parts were sent also in case repairs are needed. It was quite an event. It is really hard to put into words the emotions feelings we had.
We had a great drive home....it didn't take quite as long, but it was beautiful every step of the way. There were acres and acres of sunflowers blooming. They were breath taking and the blossoms were huge...the size of dinner plates. They are harvested to make sunflower oil.We loved every minute of our two days. We stopped for meals and shopped a little and laughed a little and cried a little. We feel so blessed to be part of this. I must give credit for the wheelchair give away. It was arranged by Karl and Donna Snow who are over humanitarian services here. They are one of those wonderful couples who are serving away from them families and comfort zones and are having the time of their lives. This was another great adventure.

More Cheetahs

Dad and I had a great time at the Cheetah Game Reserve. We went with the missionary couples and had a great time. The cheetahs are magnificent animals and we loved seeing about a dozen up close and personal.

Relief Society Stickers

A few weeks ago, Bill and I attended a branch here in Joberg. I can't remember the name, but it was about 45 minutes away and a very small, humble branch it was. They are meeting in a temporary building which is reminiscent of a trailer.....a triple wide trailer. Anyway that morning the attendance was low, because in December people travel home to there villages to for the holidays and many places simply close down. This particular morning I was really touched by what happened in Relief Society. There were 8-10 women there and they passed out the new David O. MacKay manuals. You'd have thought they passed out the crown jewels. Those women were exclaiming, touching the manuals like they were gold, hugging them and even kissing them. They were SO THRILLED TO HAVE THIS BOOK OF THEIR OWN TO READ. THEN the RS president passed out once RS sticker to each woman there. Again, they went into spasms of joy....touching and trying to decide what to do with this precious addition to their lives. Finally, they decided they would put them on the new manual. Again, they touched and loved and really caressed their new possessions...all the time exclaiming and expressing joy and laughter. it was quite a sight.

Soooo, when I went to train in Zimbabwe, I took RS stickers. They are easy to carry and have no weight. The weight restrictions are tough between countries. Anyway, I cut them up and had someone give each woman in the training session a sticker as they left. I gave about 125 stickers. I didn't see much of a reaction because they were leaving and I was answering individual questions. Well, low and behold the next morning at District Conference we were sitting on the stand and all of a sudden it came to me that the women were wearing them on their dresses. At least half of the sisters had come adorned in their RS stickers. Quite a fun sight and very humbling to see that so little could bring such joy.

Zambia and Zimbabwe

Dear Family,

We had a wonderful trip to Zimbabwe and Zambia. We were busy every minute and it was sooooo hot that you can't believe it, but we loved it. There was not any air conditioning in any church or hotel, or even the mission home and it was very humid, so often my whole head was wringing wet, but we still loved it. We traveled the entire time with the mission president and his wife and they were great fun and great leaders and that was good. It was hard to see the terrible things happening in Zimbabwe. Mugabe is a cruel and wicked man and he is ruining the country. The situation of white Africans that were killed or run off their farms is soooo sad and the black people who took their lands don't know how to farm so that beautiful fertile land is going to weed and is being ruined. The people are hungry and out of work. The unemployed is 80% so you can see the problems. It is beautiful country and we drove many hours going from conference to conference so we really saw the land. It is beautiful.. some parts are green and hilly and the acacia trees are magnificent. Other parts are very much what you think the land in Africa should look like.....very open and many thorn trees and bushes. It isn't too dense in those places, but we loved that landscape. In some parts we were very high and had to climb. We didn't know the elevation as there were no markings, but there was tremendous beauty. There were many flowering trees....tulip trees, flame lilies, jacaranda, plumeria, and many we couldn't identify. It is a beautiful part of the world. There was one area that had huge balancing rocks that were fascinating and beautiful at the same time. We were reminded a little of the boulders used in Cuzco in Peru, but these were not man placed and it was intriguing. The landscape was wonderful. My favorite part were the rondeval villages. I hope I have spelled that right. Anyway, they are round houses made of mud with thatched roofs. The inside wall were smeared with cow dung as were the floors. This hardens and they are able to sweep and clean it. The roofs have to be replaced every few years as do the floors. There is a bench all around the inside of the house and there is a fireplace in the middle. They sleep on the floor on mats if they have them and roll them up during the day. There are often smaller square buildings close to the round one and that is for food storage....mostly the maize which they grind and eat at every meal. If they have it they add chard and a few other vegetables.. If they are really well off they will add the protein of chicken or snake or whatever. (Grandpa ordered crocodile for dinner the other night and loved it. He said it tasted a little like chicken) We often saw women bending from the waist sweeping the dirt around their little round house. It is red dirt and they sweep about 4 or 5 feet away from the home. We thought it was crazy to sweep the dirt, but we found out why. If a snake comes crawling into their house they know it because the snake leaves a trail in the newly swept dirt. Oh me!

The people are wonderful. They are happy. They smile and wave and love it when you smile and wave back. The church members are so happy to have the Gospel in their lives and they love anything we teach. They are the pioneers of Africa. Almost all are first generation members and have much to learn about the government of the church, but they try so hard and are doing well. We are always absolutely amazed with the depth of their understanding and the knowledge of the scriptures and the testimonies that they share. The baptisms are astounding in that area. There are wonderful missionaries, and there is a spirit here that is almost touchable.

They love and believe what they hear. The church is doing great things there with humanitarian services and CES is there and Employment help is on its' way. A new missionary couple will be there in a week to help with that. In Johannesburg that program was implemented last year and 2000 members either started their own business, or found employment or improved their employment because of that education and help. That means 2000 families were impacted, which means thousands more because they care for their own here so well, so that means many more mouths were fed. The church is doing much with teaching keyboard skills, health training, and oh so much more. There are sad cases and happy ones. We choose to focus on the good we see. Of course AIDS is an unbelievable problem, and we are helping with orphanages, etc, but it rages on. In Uganda where the president of the country said, "abstinence before marriage and fidelity after marriage" has helped make incredible progress. The rate of AIDS has gone from 35-40% of the population to 15-17%. In the other countries they teach "use condoms", so we wish the presidents of those countries would change their slogan. Those that join the church are changing their lives and that is going to make a difference on a small scale, but many of course were infected before they became members. It is a tragedy to behold, but one by one lives are being changed. It is the next generation that will have a big impact as children are taught correct principles. Oh I have just gone on and on. I do want to add another Mugabe has done.......he is cracking down on the church and the missionary effort. The church has been red flagged, which means visas are not being extended for more than 30 days at a time and in some cases missionaries are being kicked out. While we were there 8 were sent to Zambia and a missionary couple who has done great things teaching gardening were given 48 hours to leave. We all have faith that as soon as the elections are over things will settle back down to normal. That man really is evil.

Now, I want to tell our grandchildren about Noreen. Noreen is a little black girl who is 5 years old and she lives in the mission home because her father is the gardener. He takes care of the big, big yard, and cleans the mission home once and week and does all the handy work that needs to be done. She was the cutest little girl. She had beautiful big, brown eyes, and short kinky hair that often had lint or leaves in it. She was lonely because there wasn't anyone else to play with. We would wake up to her singing outside our bedroom window some mornings. She would always run and greet us when we came there. One time we were sitting in the living room talking. It was very hot outside and her mother had given her a squirt bottle to keep cool. She decided to cool us, I guess and she sprayed through the window and really shocked him. She got in a little trouble but we thought it was funny and Grandpa thought it felt good. The very cutest thing was how she played with her doll. President and Sister Jenkins gave her a white little doll for Christmas. She had never had a doll. She doesn't have very much at all. There is only one bed in their tiny house so she sleeps with her parents. She follows her daddy around as he gardens and works. Anyway, she loves this doll. She carries it. She sings to it. She talks to it. We saw her out the window, AND the cutest part is she has her mother tie her dolly on her back like all the African mothers do and she would carry that doll for hours as she danced on the lawn and followed her dad and sang and jumped. One day as we left she had her back to us and did see us and she was just jumping and jumping with that dolly on her back. The thing that was so cute......Noreen is very very black and her dolly is very very white. We loved her. More nest time. We love you and miss you.