Christmas Eve 2013

The cast for the First Christmas Program

Dinner at our Home

Our Adventure at Entabenis

My favorite animals together

ROAD BLOCK!!

Night sentinals - they're for real and hungry

 

December 24, 2013

Merry Christmas everyone and Happy birthday to Pam and Jeromy,

It's hard to believe that last year at this time we had just arrived in Tzaneen.  We remember the mixed emotions as we wondered about what the future would have in store for us.  We have survived and have grown more than we could have imagined and already have many wonderful memories. Last week as the primary children presented birthday cards and sang Happy Birthday to me I thought how much they have all become a part of our lives.  We have felt safe and loved here.  Our bubble was burst just a bit when the Lenyenye Elders shared with us that they saw a stoning last night.  It was of a taxi cab driver and they don't know what happened because we are told over and over again that we must quickly leave the villages anytime violence breaks out.  Since today is Christmas Eve they have asked us to stay close to home and not go out into the villages as they tend to get a little excited on holidays.  We are being obedient.  This past week we did go away for a night to a place called Entabenis.  It's another Animal Reserve and we went with our friends the Heyens.  Another incredible experience.  Last Saturday we had our Branch Christmas party.  The primary children acted out the First Christmas and parents were excited.  The part of Joseph was played by a little investigator.  Both he and his mom will be baptized in January.  One of the angels was played by another investigator whose grandfather was just baptized and she told me afterwards how excited she is to turn 12 so that she can go into Young Womens.  Ed and I were thrilled at the number of investigators that joined us for the Christmas program.  That means that they not only got to see the darling Primary children, but they were able to watch the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional. We loved it all.

We wish you a very merry Christmas and know that we miss you all,

Ed and Jolene, mom and dad, grandma and grandpa and happily Elder and Sister Smith

November 25, 2013

God's Window - but not a clear day.

A LITTLE FRIEND

They tear up the store just like in the cartoons. 

P-DAY WALK AT CHEERIO GARDENS

Feeding the chiefs at our meeting.

Primary on the porch of Matome's home - only 3 sleeping!

TOO HOT INSIDE SO GOSPEL DOCTRINE ON THE LAWN

Dearest Family and Friends,

We like to walk in the mornings, but summer is approaching and that's the rainy season here.  Since we left our floaties at home we decided to skip this morning.  Last week we planned a meeting with 9 of the chiefs out in Motupa and a few of their council members.   Because the church is growing, the opposition is growing also.  When we arrived in this area the people would wave at the "old white couple" as we drove by.  Now we get stares along with the young Elders who were actually summoned into court 2 weeks ago with an attempted restraining order.  Anyway we asked the District President to speak at our meeting because he is from the area and is a well respected educator.  The meeting went well.  We started with only 2 guests and were afraid that even the chiefs did not want anything to do with us, but as the morning moved on they showed up slowly and we ended up with 24 guests.  The spirit was strong.  We shared our basic beliefs and showed a video titled, "An Introduction to the Church in Africa." They all clapped at the end when one chief said, "You will be welcome in my village."  At the end of the meeting another chief approached Ed and in his broken English said, "You will teach my family, YES."  Gladly Ed thought. He got all the information and sent the Elders over a few days later.  While the Elders were there we  got a phone call asking what time our Thanksgiving dinner would be because they will be going back for a second visit this Thursday, Thanksgiving Day (for us).  We assured the elders that their meeting came first and we could eat anytime. 

Speaking of Thanksgiving, the Smith family has one more bit of news to be thankful for.  Ryan and Ashley are expecting number 5 and after 4 darling girls they are thrilled to be expecting a boy.  As for all of you, HAPPY THANKSGIVING.     

We love you,

Ed and Jolene, mom and dad, grandma and grandpa and happily Elder and Sister Smith

October 21, 2013

It's a live Hippo, Should I???

YES, I'm kissing a Hippo

Ed Petting a Cheetah

Magnificent Beast and so close!

Camouflaged, but look closely. 

The Water truck just arrived, how will they get it back??

Pictures with the Mayor's Rep, but Ed did present the award

Just visiting at a members home.  Love those kids!!

Dearest Family and Friends,

We watched the first session of General Conference yesterday.  Yes, we are a bit behind, but. . . .  this is Africa.  Remember the story that Elder Soares told about Moses, the South African man who found a Book of Mormon, read it, knew it was true, but couldn't go inside the church because he was black and the laws of the land forbade it during apartheid.  When the story ended I  looked around the room where we were meeting.  There were 32 of us crowded into a tiny area around a tiny TV screen. We of course were the only whites in the room. The floor was cold cement, it was drizzling outside, the ceiling was a sheet of tin,  I was sitting on a broken plastic chair that ripped my skirt . . . but none of that mattered. The spirit was strong and we were worshiping "inside" together.  Africa has come a long ways, but we still have a long ways to go especially in the villages where the members now are persecuted for belonging to a "white" peoples church.  One sister said to me when I asked how it was going with her neighbors, "I just don't listen to them and I know I will be blessed."   

A few of our experiences this past month have been planning and speaking at the funeral of Lindelani, a 16 year old young man who died in his sleep and we don't even know why.  The funeral was in his Aunt's front yard, and he was buried in the back yard.  The community and funeral attendees helped dig and cover up the grave.  Since there were about 300 villagers there, we hoped hearing us talk, pray and sing about Jesus Christ would help the community to see that we are Christians. Perhaps it softened a few hearts.  We will see in time.  We've also provided marriage counseling,  been offered a child to take home with us, discussed the gospel in homes of members and non-members, kissed a hippo, petted a Cheetah, presented a Family Values Award to the orphanage administrator, hosted a banquet where we shared religious and community ideals with Pastors, Businessmen and Women, and government officials from our little area, and Met with the Chief Counsels of two different villages to discuss religious and community issues.  It's definitely not what we expected but we never get bored.  Knowing that we are doing the Lord's work and feeling the support and prayers of loved ones at home keeps us strong.  Thank you.   

We love you,

Ed and Jolene, mom and dad, grandma and grandpa and happily Elder and Sister Smith

Greetings from Africa 9/1/13

Just beginning the orphanage play ground

16 "Mormon Helping Hands" arrived in this little truck

We were just a few of the window crew

Couldn't wait to try out the new equipment

She loves the swing.

Lunch time at the orphanage

Wrist Band with a Purpose

Dearest family and friends,

We are alive, well, and busy. Missionary work has taught us a new skill.  Ed and I have taken up "braiding".  Along with the young Elders, we are making braided wrist bands for all our members.  The purpose of the wrist band is to encourage "missionary" work.  The idea is that when people ask about the band, the member can say, "Oh, that is to remind me to talk about my church. Do you have any questions for me?"  We experimented on Bongani, our student body president in Motupa that has been called a "Satanist" among other things simply because of being a Mormon. Fortunately the wrist band has been a wonderful success for him.  Last Sunday he was asked to speak in District conference, and holding up his wrist to show it he said, "Instead of calling me a Satanist at school, they now call me the Apostle Paul." (The wrist band idea is unique to our branch but we might have others willing to follow after last Sunday)  In the meantime, Ed with his numb fingers and me with my arthritic hands (sad picture I know) braided for a very worthwhile cause. We also finished our project at the orphanage.  We have several sisters, including me, who can replace broken windows.  We did 43 of them.  But the highlight of our project was building the play area for the kids.  Above are just a few pictures.  We have gone back 3 times in the past week to finish a few things and mostly to watch the kids play.  They are thrilled and so is the staff.  We even got a little write up in the newspaper.  One of our investigators, who knows many of the business people in Tzaneen, worked tirelessly with Ed to get donations for the play ground.  One day he called us up and said, "This is Elder Minnie Reporting."  We can only thank him and many others for donations that exceeded R12,000. (About $1,500)  Maybe not a ton at home, but it's huge here.  My favorite comment from one of the sponsors was, "It's for God, Right?"  Happy and grateful to be in His service. We hope all is well at home.  We miss you and send our love.      

Ed and Jolene, mom and dad, grandma and grandpa and happily Elder and Sister Smith