Sept 4 – 10, 2016

We are very aware of the fact that we will only attend church in South Africa a few more times. It makes each Sunday sweeter. Elder Hind had to go to Newcastle to take care of some business and then he came and picked me up and we went to our home ward Madadeni Branch 1. 

These are President Nkosi's granddaughters
They say, "Elder Hind, Elder Hind," whenever they see him.

The Young Women's class

This is what happens when you let the Young Women play with your tablet

After church we went to visit President Nkosi. He knew us and said our names when we greeted him but when missionaries brought him the sacrament and he seemed to have a real hard time taking it. We believe he won’t be here very much longer.

After visiting with him for a while we went out to the cottage meeting and then home for our Sunday devotional with the missionaries.

We decided that this would be the week that we would begin to prepare for going home. We decided that the first thing we would do is to pack up all our mementos and souvenirs. We have things stuck all around the house and stored away in our closets. So we started packing those away and cleaning out our closets. We gathered up some things that we knew we didn't want to take home and we will give them to the Relief Society president. Doing this has made us realize that we are indeed going home soon.

Our suitcase full of souvenirs. Hope we have room for our clothes.

On Monday night we played a game using the For the Strength of Youth book. Each team took a turn trying to answer fill-in-the blank questions. When they got the answer right they got to shoot some of Elder Hind’s socks into a bucket. They could get one, two or three points depending on where they stood to take the shot. Anyway they seemed to have fun with it.

Janeal getting ready to take her shot.

Elder Deihl 

Elder Stitole

Elder Martin looking serious and determined

Elder Jewkes trying a trick shot.

We had Zone Training Meeting this week. It was weird because we have always had it in Newcastle. Now the Zone Leaders are in Dundee so we went down there to have the meeting. It was an enjoyable meeting and we had lunch afterwards. It was our last ZTM.

Sister Rhodes and Elder Diehl

Newcastle Zone

I wanted to do the Young Women in Excellence before I went home so we scheduled it for this Saturday. Elder Hind had a meeting with all the Branch Presidents to talk about branch finances and budgets. So he was busy while I was with the young women.

I wish I could get the parents and grandparents to come to these things but they never come. I don’t know what the problems is. I guess it will take a while before they understand that these activities are for them and their daughters.

We learned a song just for this activity and some of the girls gave talks. We had some refreshments (sandwiches, apple slices and brownies) and I talked to the girls about Personal Progress. I told them that my prayer for them is to become powerful women of faith and testimony. I reminded them that they are loved by their Heavenly Father. I asked them if they had dreams. I told them that their dreams could come true if they keep the commandments, get an education, and learn to serve others. My prayer is that in the time I have worked with them I have helped each one in some small way.

 

We are going to miss the beautiful African sunsets.