South African Express Train

Boarding...

Up for an exciting new adventure!

On June 17 we boarded the Shosholoza Meyl African Express train, along with 21 of our dear friends from the Mdantsane 1^st Ward to attend the Johannesburg, South Africa Temple.   

The distance from East London is about 950 kilometers (590 miles) which translates into a 22 hour train ride.  The members opted for train travel over bus/taxi because it is much less expensive and it is all they could afford.  Most of them had been saving money for nearly a year to pay the 440 rand ($60) fare. 

All Aboard...

Preparing for a long night.

The members settled in for a long, cold night in the economy class with non-reclining seats and no heat. But there was a wonderful, happy energy of dedication and unity among all the members. 

Sleeper car...still cold, but at least we could sleep a bit.

We opted for a sleeper car along with several others of our group that were pensioners (retirees).

After a long, cold, sleepless night.

We finally arrived in Johannesburg!

When we finally saw the spires of the temple through the trees all the challenges of the long train trip faded away.    

Johannesburg, South Africa Temple

We were excited and prepared ourselves to enter the temple and partake of the sweet spirit.  Once inside this beautiful edifice we remembered our promises to our Heavenly Father. We are all filled with the spirit!  

Mdantsane Saints in front of the Johannesburg Temple.

We are certain the faithful saints will be blessed for their sacrifices. Our lives were touched as we shared this experience with our ward family.

Holiness to the Lord!

Finding "HIS" Lost Sheep

We spend much of our time trying to find our Savior's lost sheep.  Individuals who were once warm in the faith and had centered their lives on Jesus Christ who have since quietly wandered away.  They are lost somewhere in the web of houses and shanties of the Mdantsane township.  Often the worries of the world such as illness, unemployment, poverty, family conflict or lack of transportation draw them into the day to day crazies of living and they soon forget.  But, we know that the Savior has not forgotten them.  He still numbers them as His.  It is impossible to express the joy we feel once we locate and engage them.  We do all we can to lift their burdens and rekindle their faith.  
Several weeks ago we decided that the task was just too big for us to do ourselves so we organized a "Finding the Lost Sheep" activity with other members of our congregation. Weeks of planning, creating visit lists, preparing lunches for 60 and decorating a special cake all proceeded the event. On a Saturday morning, May 12th, 60 members joined us and they went out in teams to invite them back to church.  We shared an incredible feelings of rejoicing as we visited 165 homes in just one day and found dozens of persons we can now serve, help and lift and invite back to the fellowship of the church. An amazing day as we served as His "under-shepherds" to help care for the children he loves.

Preparing cakes the night before.

Setting up the teams.

Unit Leader, Lihle, organizes and trains his teams.

SISTERS!

 Reviewing the details of the visit list.

 Excited to go.

Lunches for 60... to go.

REJOICING TOGETHER!

"The worth of souls is great in the sight of God."  D&C 18: 10  We can testify that there is no greater joy than to bring even one soul back to our Savior Jesus Christ.

Storms River Mouth

When we take long road trips to visit an outlying mission branch, we often take a side trip so we can see more of this majestic land.  We recently veered off the highway on a whim and decided to so explore Storms River Month. Storms River has cut its way through the limestone rock formations over the centuries to create a deep, meandering gorge as it dumps into the Indian Ocean.  We spent a couple of hours hiking a shaded trail through the flora and fauna to the suspension bridge that spans the gorge. We returned to our car refreshed and ready to finish our five hour drive home.  South Africa's stunning beauty never ceases to amaze us!

Sunrise..

Wild lilies...

Ancient tree...

Storms River suspension bridge...

Never ending adventures...

Storms River gorge...

The view etched in our memories as we leave.

Celebration of the Boxes

Last December during our brief visit to San Diego, I approached Jeannette Vaughn, the current principal of Albert Einstein Academies Elementary School in San Diego and discussed the possibility of organizing an effort to help the Phakamile Junior Primary School in Mdantsane, South Africa.  She readily agreed!

Our relationship with the students, teachers and principal at Phakamile has grown during the last six months as we worked with the students teaching English in the classrooms. 

Teaching 4th Graders English Lessons

The need for materials, especially books was critical, so together with Principal Skolpati at Phakamile and Principal Vaughn at AEA, a plan was launched to send boxes of used books and school supplies half-way around the world to the children in South Africa.  The students at AEA not only donated used books and school supplies, but they also donated nearly $900 to pay for the shipping of 19 priority mail boxes.

Filled boxes ready to be shipped in Albert Einstein Academy's Board Room 

The boxes finally arrive…

Boxes awaiting the celebration.

and the “The Celebration of the Boxes” is organized by Phakamile School. 

Parents waiting for the celebration to begin.

Principal Skolpati and Fowers being introduced.

Singing and chanting a song of welcome.

Elder Fowers and I formally presented the boxes to the children of the Phakamile School on March 22.

Elder Fowers explains details of the gift.

Joyful celebration erupts as "mamas" dance among children with the boxes balanced on their heads.

Spontaneous, joyful songs erupted from the parents.  The “mamas” took the boxes and danced among the children while balancing them on their heads.  The energy and emotion of the experience is beyond words and parents, children and teachers expressed their gratitude to AEA through cultural songs and dances. For nearly two hours we celebrated together and all the cultural barriers melted away.

Waving to the children.

Finally the time comes to open the boxes and share treasures with the Phakamile community.

Excited Anticipation

Books...Books...Books--worth more than gold.

Sharing picture of Einstein students receives thunderous applause.

The children at Albert Einstein Academies made the world a much smaller place through their generous gifts.  I hope they understand the difference they have made in the lives of these children. 

Happy Dance

Cultural barriers melt away as we celebrate together.

We were blessed to have played a small part in this grand event and will treasure the memories always.

Sister Fowers and Mrs. Mbiza, a Phakamile Teacher

CELEBRATE!

Show and Tell... South Africa Style

In February we were blessed with the opportunity to share "our" (we are getting rather attached) beautiful South Africa with Luci's sister, Kathy and her husband Kevin for a couple of weeks.  We have grown to love the land and the people so very much, so it was hard to decide which few treasures we could share with them while they were here.  So we took them on a whirlwind journey...a treasured memory shared by sisters.

While still suffering from jet lag (after their 36 hour flight) we threw them in the back of our cars and drove seven hours to the delightful beach side community of Knysna, to visit and support a fledgling congregation.  

Kathy worked with the Young Women's president and the girls quickly wormed their way into her heart.








Then on to Cape Town to sample a taste of the excitng events that take place in the SACTM Mission Home.


(Please forgive the formatting glitches below...)

Lunching with the missionaries, with eight new "greenies" that had just arrived that morning.

Walking in the serene Kirstenboch Gardens

Capturing the stunning views from Table Mountain.

A quick snapshot of Table Mountain from Signal Hill.

After a 24-hour "fire-hose" tour of Cape Town we took a quick flight back to East London for a bit of rest and relaxation at our Gonubie flat.

Sharing friendships with some of the dear people we love...

Asanda with son, Neo who cried when he had to go back to his Mama.

A gift of love from Sister Magibesela.

Chatting with Mama Keya, Relief Society President.

Meeting Lihle Lalendle, a soon-to-be-missionary, 
that stole their hearts with his smile.

A day with the majestic African Animals...up close and personal.