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