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| The cast for the First Christmas Program |
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| Dinner at our Home |
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| Our Adventure at Entabenis |
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| My favorite animals together |
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| ROAD BLOCK!! |
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| 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
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