February 24, 2013

We gave him the Right-Of-Way



No fences, just momma, baby and us!



Eye to Eye with a Nyala



Playful little critters . . No respect



Stunning Red Hartebeest



He's a little shy Wildebeest



Jomo and his cute home.  We baked him the cookies.



Mmakoma Shereen cooks all her meals this way 

Dear Family and Friends,

We are alive, healthy and doing well.  From time to time we look at each other and ask, "What are we doing here?"  Not that we are second guessing our decision to serve, but we feel so inadequate when the routine is no longer routine.  When I, Jolene, start teaching piano one must question what is going on.  My plan is to stay one week ahead of the students.  In addition to piano, we teach classes in Math, Life Science, English, and the New Testament.  Who would have guessed.  This past week during one of our English classes we experienced a micro-burst that covered us in red dirt and then a lightning and thunder shower that doused us with water before our little class could run for shelter.  All I wanted to do was go home and take a real shower.  I felt guilty knowing that my 11 little students would be lucky to have a pan of water for a sponge bath after walking about a mile to fill their water buckets later that evening. 

As you can see in the pictures above, we visited an animal reserve in Polokwane.  They claim to have no "man eating animals" and so one can walk or hike in the reserve along with the animals.  We no sooner turned into the park than were slowed down by a large Rhino in the road.  The whole day was a wonderful adventure.   

Elder Cook from the African Area Presidency visited our little valley last weekend.  He was here for District Conference and we had the privilege of joining he and his wife,  the mission president and his wife, and one other couple for dinner on Saturday night.  Elder Cook had heard about the home we helped build for Promise, and had visited Promise that day.  He wanted to know all about the experience as we sat together at dinner.  He then asked us to write it up for him, and  said that he would like to share it with the Twelve.  What a thrill.   The next day he spoke at conference.  Wonderful meeting.  We not only felt the spirit, but we experienced a bit of Africa as the seams in the ceiling were separating and during the meeting bits and pieces of debris fell to the floor.  About half way through the meeting bird feathers started floating down.  Ed and I caught the eyes of Elder and Sister Cook.  We shared a sweet smile.  The rest of the congregation did not seem distracted by what must be a normal occurrence.  We are learning to Love Africa. 

Miss you much though and love to hear from you,
 

Ed and Jolene