Tuesday, June 30, 2009
2009 07 05 - Winter Holidays
Dear Everyone:
It finally go cold! It was -3 C overnight at the youth convention (26 F), with no heat in the cottages. And here in Durban it's running around 15 C (59 F) at night, then warms up (usually) during the day - if it's not windy. I'm sure that sounds warm to you, however, when you've become acclimated, it feels chilly! Everyone is bundled up in hats and scarves and coats - but when you consider they often start walking at 4:30am, in an hour and a half of dark, to get to work, it's understandable. The homes are made of brick, and although they may have a little electric heater, they definitely hold the cold in winter, and the heat in summer. So appreciate your air conditioners and central heating!
Hunter did his 5-day-work-in-an-office-to-learn-about-careers school assignment this week. He was in the mission office, and among other things he attended office devotionals, filed paid bills, shredded old records, inventoried supplies, inspected boardings, picked up mail, went to the bank, labeled file folders, laminated, put together bedding packs, and prepared new missionary packets. He worked willingly, but he's not planning to major in office work, I can assure you.
Morgan will be working in the office after all, the last week of the holidays. Right now he's in Ballito (upscale, touristy beach town) with a friend's family for a few days. Hunter is loving being an only child.
We had a good example of kindness, and willingness to serve, and friendship - and the miracle of modern, instant communication - this week. Pearl Pillay, a matric (grade 12) in the Chatworth Ward, was selected to go to a conference in Washington DC and New York City. Her material, passport, and visa all came through very late, so the only avilable flights had her arriving a day before the conference, and leaving the day after. Her mother panicked, and called Sister Markum (CES missionary) who called me. I proceeded to call Hayley, who has best friends everywhere. Her friend Andi lives in DC, but is in Utah for the summer; she still put the need out on the ward's online bulletin board for us. I then called Robyn & Dave Chamberlain, from our home ward in Eagle. Their (beautiful & brilliant) daughter Melanie is teaching in DC. I then called Melanie, who agreed to pick Pearl up at Dulles Airport, an hour from her home, at 7 am on the 4th of July. This in spite of the fact she was returning from New York at 1 am that morning!
Next, the New York connection. Hayley also has a good friend there - and Elisabeth immediately agreed to pick Pearl up from her conference on the 18th and host her until her flight on the night of the 19th. Thank you, amazing women!
This whole process caused me to start thinking about my kids, and some of their "gifts". I would invite you (we don't "challenge" anymore) to try the same thing with your kids, siblings or roommates. Here's what I came up with - and it's only one each out of many.
Torry: can focus strongly on a goal or activity and give it her all until she completes it.
Hayley: makes deep, enduring friendships.
Logan: is steadfast in his commitment to right principles.
Parker: can imagine uninvented, undiscovered, undeveloped, wonderful things.
Morgan: enthuses everyone around him when he gets excited about something.
Hunter: inspires loyalty (and service!) in his friends.
I think I started thinking about this because the same day I called on Hayley for her help I had been reading Moroni 10, which describes a few of the many spiritual gifts we can seek after.
On the missionary front, Elder Nare called in with a reporting question: one of their investigators is expecting twins. "President, can I count them as progressing investigators?"
Elder Nkele is the envy of the mission. He recently had a birthday, and his "adopter" invited her friends to send him birthday cards. He now holds the record for most deliveries in a week. I've been very grateful for the people who have emailed recently offering to adopt an African missionary. Please be patient - they arrive every 6 weeks, and we do still get a few Americans, who seem to have lots of people writing them. I am keeping a list as emails arrive, and you will be waiting along with your elder for his mission to start. (And a reminder - the new Gospel Art Book is a wonderful gift for a missionary - they use them in their teaching.)
More and more missionaries are telling Steve he looks tired... it isn't slowing him down, though. I can't tell you how many times in the last two years he has said "Just a couple more days (or revisions, or meetings) and we'll be back to normal." Which is what, exactly? He has promised to take a week off when Logan and Sara come in December...we'll see. But Steve is like his mom - he'd rather wear out than rust out. And if she hasn't worn out yet, I guess he won't.
I couldn't find any sparklers for the 4th of July, although when I described them to Jubz he said they do have them here. I guess I should have gone to one of the Indian shopping areas - they have huge fireworks for their celebrations, and they must get them somewhere. I hope you all went to watch fireworks somewhere - I missed them.
Love,
Mom/Grandma/Sue/Susan/SisterPresidentMann
ps Mysterious service #227: As you know, body repair shops are called panelbeaters here. I saw a panel truck this week with a similar type of logo: Boltt Grindrods. Any idea what THEY might do?
pps All the people headed for Ballito Friday night had to make a huge detour as part of the freeway was closed. A great big truck had dropped a load of potatoes on the road. (Anyone ever run across that problem in Idaho?) It happened around 6:30pm, and the freeway entrance was still closed at 10pm (I know this because I was doing Mall runs). I guess they were picking them up one at a time.
It finally go cold! It was -3 C overnight at the youth convention (26 F), with no heat in the cottages. And here in Durban it's running around 15 C (59 F) at night, then warms up (usually) during the day - if it's not windy. I'm sure that sounds warm to you, however, when you've become acclimated, it feels chilly! Everyone is bundled up in hats and scarves and coats - but when you consider they often start walking at 4:30am, in an hour and a half of dark, to get to work, it's understandable. The homes are made of brick, and although they may have a little electric heater, they definitely hold the cold in winter, and the heat in summer. So appreciate your air conditioners and central heating!
Hunter did his 5-day-work-in-an-office-to-learn-about-careers school assignment this week. He was in the mission office, and among other things he attended office devotionals, filed paid bills, shredded old records, inventoried supplies, inspected boardings, picked up mail, went to the bank, labeled file folders, laminated, put together bedding packs, and prepared new missionary packets. He worked willingly, but he's not planning to major in office work, I can assure you.
Morgan will be working in the office after all, the last week of the holidays. Right now he's in Ballito (upscale, touristy beach town) with a friend's family for a few days. Hunter is loving being an only child.
We had a good example of kindness, and willingness to serve, and friendship - and the miracle of modern, instant communication - this week. Pearl Pillay, a matric (grade 12) in the Chatworth Ward, was selected to go to a conference in Washington DC and New York City. Her material, passport, and visa all came through very late, so the only avilable flights had her arriving a day before the conference, and leaving the day after. Her mother panicked, and called Sister Markum (CES missionary) who called me. I proceeded to call Hayley, who has best friends everywhere. Her friend Andi lives in DC, but is in Utah for the summer; she still put the need out on the ward's online bulletin board for us. I then called Robyn & Dave Chamberlain, from our home ward in Eagle. Their (beautiful & brilliant) daughter Melanie is teaching in DC. I then called Melanie, who agreed to pick Pearl up at Dulles Airport, an hour from her home, at 7 am on the 4th of July. This in spite of the fact she was returning from New York at 1 am that morning!
Next, the New York connection. Hayley also has a good friend there - and Elisabeth immediately agreed to pick Pearl up from her conference on the 18th and host her until her flight on the night of the 19th. Thank you, amazing women!
This whole process caused me to start thinking about my kids, and some of their "gifts". I would invite you (we don't "challenge" anymore) to try the same thing with your kids, siblings or roommates. Here's what I came up with - and it's only one each out of many.
Torry: can focus strongly on a goal or activity and give it her all until she completes it.
Hayley: makes deep, enduring friendships.
Logan: is steadfast in his commitment to right principles.
Parker: can imagine uninvented, undiscovered, undeveloped, wonderful things.
Morgan: enthuses everyone around him when he gets excited about something.
Hunter: inspires loyalty (and service!) in his friends.
I think I started thinking about this because the same day I called on Hayley for her help I had been reading Moroni 10, which describes a few of the many spiritual gifts we can seek after.
On the missionary front, Elder Nare called in with a reporting question: one of their investigators is expecting twins. "President, can I count them as progressing investigators?"
Elder Nkele is the envy of the mission. He recently had a birthday, and his "adopter" invited her friends to send him birthday cards. He now holds the record for most deliveries in a week. I've been very grateful for the people who have emailed recently offering to adopt an African missionary. Please be patient - they arrive every 6 weeks, and we do still get a few Americans, who seem to have lots of people writing them. I am keeping a list as emails arrive, and you will be waiting along with your elder for his mission to start. (And a reminder - the new Gospel Art Book is a wonderful gift for a missionary - they use them in their teaching.)
More and more missionaries are telling Steve he looks tired... it isn't slowing him down, though. I can't tell you how many times in the last two years he has said "Just a couple more days (or revisions, or meetings) and we'll be back to normal." Which is what, exactly? He has promised to take a week off when Logan and Sara come in December...we'll see. But Steve is like his mom - he'd rather wear out than rust out. And if she hasn't worn out yet, I guess he won't.
I couldn't find any sparklers for the 4th of July, although when I described them to Jubz he said they do have them here. I guess I should have gone to one of the Indian shopping areas - they have huge fireworks for their celebrations, and they must get them somewhere. I hope you all went to watch fireworks somewhere - I missed them.
Love,
Mom/Grandma/Sue/Susan/SisterPresidentMann
ps Mysterious service #227: As you know, body repair shops are called panelbeaters here. I saw a panel truck this week with a similar type of logo: Boltt Grindrods. Any idea what THEY might do?
pps All the people headed for Ballito Friday night had to make a huge detour as part of the freeway was closed. A great big truck had dropped a load of potatoes on the road. (Anyone ever run across that problem in Idaho?) It happened around 6:30pm, and the freeway entrance was still closed at 10pm (I know this because I was doing Mall runs). I guess they were picking them up one at a time.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
2009 06 28 - End of Term Exams/Youth Convention/Interview Loop
Dear Everyone:
Steve's been on his interview/mini-training loop this week. It's a good thing the assistants do the driving - it's about 1000 miles all around. In addition to interviewing all the elders in the districts, he keeps in touch with the elders in the Durban area, too: he called me one night to say he was sending 4 elders over to watch the USA vs Spain soccer match on TV and would I make a cake? One of the elders needed a bit of a lift, and it turned out to be a great one: USA unexpectedly won, 2-1. It was fun to hear them singing the national anthem and cheering... (I find it very odd that I am suddenly, at this stage in my life, getting into sports! I even watched the South Africa vs Brazil game - and I've never watched soccer! That's what comes of serving in a sports-mad country!)
Hunter went to youth convention (stake youth conference) this weekend. We were hoping his friend Jubz could go, but his mom said they had to go somewhere. That may have been a nice excuse because she didn't want him to go to another LDS activity - it's hard when the youth are interested and their parents aren't, but at least she lets him come to Youth (Mutual) every week. It took us forever to get to the freeway - we went through Pinetown, just as the taxis were coming in to pick everyone up to go home. Taxis do whatever they want, so they were sliding into tiny spaces between cars, and turning at the stoplight through multiple red lights. We made up for it on the N3, though: I know it's kilometers, but a 120 speed limit feels really fast!
Estcourt, where the youth convention was held, is 2-1/2 hours from Durban. The conference center they used, outside of town, is next to a game reserve - and the center locks the gate at dark because "the animals come out". Cool, huh! Hunter got a few new numbers from the girls he met there...I just hope they live closer than some of the ones he likes to hang out with now!
Morgan stayed home so he could go to the end-of-season rugby team braii (barbecue). He has been working frantically on his latest computer projects: team photos for those who went on the Parktown tour, plus a dvd of the last game with a photo retrospective. It was a major hit, and everyone wants copies. I'm looking for alternate ways to expend his energy now that the rugby season is over. I came across two companies that sound good:
Charlie's Garden Service: Treefelling and Stumpgrinding;
and
Atomic Demolishers.
I'd like to see Morgan grinding a stump --- I've already seen him demolish things.
Our Indian neighbors down the street had a wedding this week...all week! The house and yard were decorated with white and blue lights, and 30 or 40 cars were parked on the street for 4 nights running. It was fun watching the women arriving in saris and other traditional Indian wear, as we drove by. There is an Indian Bridal Fair here every year - I guess I'll have to go next time, if I really want to find out how it all looked inside. The Indian outfits at the mall are all very fancy, glittery and colorful. I'm always tempted to take "local dress" home from trips - but I always look ridiculous in them. You have to be Indian to carry these off. And African for the braids and head wraps and bright colored kaftans! I'm just too pale...
Thursday morning at 6am, while it was still dark, I took Langa and Sthe home to Wyebank and New Germany, then met Elders Kitili and Nyamombe in Pinetown to check Elder N. into the clinic to have his wisdom teeth out. It was really interesting driving through the area so early in the morning. By the time I got to the clinic I had seen hundreds of people walking: students of all ages on the way to school, people walking to work or to catch taxis. Having just finished reading 3rd Nephi, I was reminded of the people struggling through the night to get to the temple to see the Saviour.
Then after 7, when it was light, the vehicular traffic increased as the people with cars headed for school and work. This, of course, brought to mind the idea of relying on our temporal possessions to get us places, and waiting until it's easier (lighter) to get there - maybe a Parable of the 10 Virgins kind of analogy. Anyway, if you read this and think about it, you won't need to come to the Swaziland District Conference in August, because I think it may be the basis of my talk.
Elder Nyamombe wasn't our only medical item this week: we had 2 elders needing special glasses, a banged head (he's ok) in a car that was broadsided, a swollen ankle (you guessed it, soccer on preparation day), 24-hour flu, a case of psoriasis, a knee surgery that needs "re-surging", a broken wrist that needs more attention, and a boil! What sane woman would have 107 sons!!!
But of course, they're all wonderful. And hardworking. And sweet. And hungry. And anxious to do a good job. And eager for emails, letters and packages. And excited to be here. So I guess a few bumps and bruises are worth it.
And on that note, have a fun 4th of July this week - if the USA soccer team wins today, we'll be even happier to wave our flag...
Love,
Mom/Grandma/Sue/Susan/SisterPresidentMann
Steve's been on his interview/mini-training loop this week. It's a good thing the assistants do the driving - it's about 1000 miles all around. In addition to interviewing all the elders in the districts, he keeps in touch with the elders in the Durban area, too: he called me one night to say he was sending 4 elders over to watch the USA vs Spain soccer match on TV and would I make a cake? One of the elders needed a bit of a lift, and it turned out to be a great one: USA unexpectedly won, 2-1. It was fun to hear them singing the national anthem and cheering... (I find it very odd that I am suddenly, at this stage in my life, getting into sports! I even watched the South Africa vs Brazil game - and I've never watched soccer! That's what comes of serving in a sports-mad country!)
Hunter went to youth convention (stake youth conference) this weekend. We were hoping his friend Jubz could go, but his mom said they had to go somewhere. That may have been a nice excuse because she didn't want him to go to another LDS activity - it's hard when the youth are interested and their parents aren't, but at least she lets him come to Youth (Mutual) every week. It took us forever to get to the freeway - we went through Pinetown, just as the taxis were coming in to pick everyone up to go home. Taxis do whatever they want, so they were sliding into tiny spaces between cars, and turning at the stoplight through multiple red lights. We made up for it on the N3, though: I know it's kilometers, but a 120 speed limit feels really fast!
Estcourt, where the youth convention was held, is 2-1/2 hours from Durban. The conference center they used, outside of town, is next to a game reserve - and the center locks the gate at dark because "the animals come out". Cool, huh! Hunter got a few new numbers from the girls he met there...I just hope they live closer than some of the ones he likes to hang out with now!
Morgan stayed home so he could go to the end-of-season rugby team braii (barbecue). He has been working frantically on his latest computer projects: team photos for those who went on the Parktown tour, plus a dvd of the last game with a photo retrospective. It was a major hit, and everyone wants copies. I'm looking for alternate ways to expend his energy now that the rugby season is over. I came across two companies that sound good:
Charlie's Garden Service: Treefelling and Stumpgrinding;
and
Atomic Demolishers.
I'd like to see Morgan grinding a stump --- I've already seen him demolish things.
Our Indian neighbors down the street had a wedding this week...all week! The house and yard were decorated with white and blue lights, and 30 or 40 cars were parked on the street for 4 nights running. It was fun watching the women arriving in saris and other traditional Indian wear, as we drove by. There is an Indian Bridal Fair here every year - I guess I'll have to go next time, if I really want to find out how it all looked inside. The Indian outfits at the mall are all very fancy, glittery and colorful. I'm always tempted to take "local dress" home from trips - but I always look ridiculous in them. You have to be Indian to carry these off. And African for the braids and head wraps and bright colored kaftans! I'm just too pale...
Thursday morning at 6am, while it was still dark, I took Langa and Sthe home to Wyebank and New Germany, then met Elders Kitili and Nyamombe in Pinetown to check Elder N. into the clinic to have his wisdom teeth out. It was really interesting driving through the area so early in the morning. By the time I got to the clinic I had seen hundreds of people walking: students of all ages on the way to school, people walking to work or to catch taxis. Having just finished reading 3rd Nephi, I was reminded of the people struggling through the night to get to the temple to see the Saviour.
Then after 7, when it was light, the vehicular traffic increased as the people with cars headed for school and work. This, of course, brought to mind the idea of relying on our temporal possessions to get us places, and waiting until it's easier (lighter) to get there - maybe a Parable of the 10 Virgins kind of analogy. Anyway, if you read this and think about it, you won't need to come to the Swaziland District Conference in August, because I think it may be the basis of my talk.
Elder Nyamombe wasn't our only medical item this week: we had 2 elders needing special glasses, a banged head (he's ok) in a car that was broadsided, a swollen ankle (you guessed it, soccer on preparation day), 24-hour flu, a case of psoriasis, a knee surgery that needs "re-surging", a broken wrist that needs more attention, and a boil! What sane woman would have 107 sons!!!
But of course, they're all wonderful. And hardworking. And sweet. And hungry. And anxious to do a good job. And eager for emails, letters and packages. And excited to be here. So I guess a few bumps and bruises are worth it.
And on that note, have a fun 4th of July this week - if the USA soccer team wins today, we'll be even happier to wave our flag...
Love,
Mom/Grandma/Sue/Susan/SisterPresidentMann
Sunday, June 21, 2009
2009 06 22 - Message to the Zulu King, and a Wedding!
Dear Everyone:
Steve and I now have two married children, and a new daughter-in-law. Life is moving on! Many thanks to all the family and friends who were so supportive in our absence - I had the opportunity to fly home for the wedding, and it was wonderful to see everyone, and to have no responsibilities (well, I did welcome everyone to the wedding luncheon). In the meantime, Steve was mission president, dad, and mom for a week - he looked a little tired when I got back!
The week before I left, Sister Mathe in Richards Bay took the conversion story of her father-in-law, Mpikayivuswa Mathe, to the Zulu king, Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu. (It's posted here: please read it!) He was delighted to hear his old friend's experiences, asked for Book of Mormons and more information, and was very friendly about being visited again. Now, the king has 6 wives, so although he could certainly attend Church and be an active investigator, we don't anticipate baptizing him! There is polygamy here, especially in Swaziland, so the missionaries have to be very aware family situations as they are teaching. Children of a polygamist family can certainly be baptized, and I'm sure that all of this will be sorted out in the next life, with no loss of blessings.
Reg and Iris Nield, our friends from Harare, were in Durban this weekend for the Springboks versus the English & Irish Lions (rugby) test match. (We won: 26-21. We are, after all, the most recent World Rugby Cup champions.) It was great to see them. They have been the backbone of the Church in Zimbabwe for many years. And Reg knows EVERYONE. True story: a returned missionary who knew Reg was in Los Angeles, with a bumper sticker that read "I Love Zimbabwe" on his car. Another car pulled up alongside him, and asked through the window, "Do you know Reg Nield?" And he did! Reg is interested in and talks to everyone, and has a President Monson-like memory for names and faces. They went to Pinetown Ward with us, and, naturally, discovered that our former bishop and current seminary teacher, Sean Wilson, is a very very old friend - they knew his parents extremely well. So we had a lovely visit (that's South Africa talk) Sunday afternoon with Joanne and Sean, before we took Reg and Iris to the airport. They now have four days at the temple before returning to Zimbabwe.
The Nields are a great example of the people here who have pioneered the Church in Southern Africa. And, of course, the pioneering continues as new areas are opened up to proselyting. They are always helping other people, serving members and nonmembers alike, and that love influences those around them to listen to the gospel and feel it's truth, whether they choose to accept it or not. And the Nields keep loving people and maintain their friendships whether they join the Church or not - which is genuine fellowshipping! They are the ones who, during the war for independence in Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) used to load up their six little girls in the van every week and drive out to hold Church in a black branch. They learned later than when they ledft each Sunday, the branch would pray together that they would return home safely.
It's really humbling to be around so many wonderful members of the Church, who have to make so many sacrifices, and stand up every day for their faith. I think maybe they should be going on missions to the Wasatch Front, instead of us coming here: they would so invigorate the wards there! I always used to think it was wonderful for missionaries from remote areas of the Church to serve in the States so they could see "how the Church works". Now I'm realizing that it's even more important for us to see "how faith and sacrifice work". All of our missionaries will take home memories of dedication, and willingness, and amazing changes that they see with their investigators and members. I'm embarrassed when I find myself frustrated because an auxilary isn't running perfectly - and then see the way the members are helping each other, taking nieces and nephews to live in their homes, walking long distances to Church meetings... It's easy to get bogged down in "stuff", and lose sight of the real meaning of the gospel. I guess those Nephites aren't so unusual, after all.
So, I guess this week's message is we all need to live the gospel better - in case we're only active in the Church. I need to, at least!
Love to everyone!
Mom/Grandma/Motherinlaw/Sue/Susan/SisterPresidentMann
ps Recently the "bench" players for the rugby team were Chester, Warwick, Basil & Kanyiso. Do you love it?
pps Iris Nield mentioned that when her daughter was unhappy with her husband over something, she didn't "get after him", she "gave him socks". And no, I don't get it.
ppps The photographer at the wedding turned out to have served his mission in Durban
Steve and I now have two married children, and a new daughter-in-law. Life is moving on! Many thanks to all the family and friends who were so supportive in our absence - I had the opportunity to fly home for the wedding, and it was wonderful to see everyone, and to have no responsibilities (well, I did welcome everyone to the wedding luncheon). In the meantime, Steve was mission president, dad, and mom for a week - he looked a little tired when I got back!
The week before I left, Sister Mathe in Richards Bay took the conversion story of her father-in-law, Mpikayivuswa Mathe, to the Zulu king, Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu. (It's posted here: please read it!) He was delighted to hear his old friend's experiences, asked for Book of Mormons and more information, and was very friendly about being visited again. Now, the king has 6 wives, so although he could certainly attend Church and be an active investigator, we don't anticipate baptizing him! There is polygamy here, especially in Swaziland, so the missionaries have to be very aware family situations as they are teaching. Children of a polygamist family can certainly be baptized, and I'm sure that all of this will be sorted out in the next life, with no loss of blessings.
Reg and Iris Nield, our friends from Harare, were in Durban this weekend for the Springboks versus the English & Irish Lions (rugby) test match. (We won: 26-21. We are, after all, the most recent World Rugby Cup champions.) It was great to see them. They have been the backbone of the Church in Zimbabwe for many years. And Reg knows EVERYONE. True story: a returned missionary who knew Reg was in Los Angeles, with a bumper sticker that read "I Love Zimbabwe" on his car. Another car pulled up alongside him, and asked through the window, "Do you know Reg Nield?" And he did! Reg is interested in and talks to everyone, and has a President Monson-like memory for names and faces. They went to Pinetown Ward with us, and, naturally, discovered that our former bishop and current seminary teacher, Sean Wilson, is a very very old friend - they knew his parents extremely well. So we had a lovely visit (that's South Africa talk) Sunday afternoon with Joanne and Sean, before we took Reg and Iris to the airport. They now have four days at the temple before returning to Zimbabwe.
The Nields are a great example of the people here who have pioneered the Church in Southern Africa. And, of course, the pioneering continues as new areas are opened up to proselyting. They are always helping other people, serving members and nonmembers alike, and that love influences those around them to listen to the gospel and feel it's truth, whether they choose to accept it or not. And the Nields keep loving people and maintain their friendships whether they join the Church or not - which is genuine fellowshipping! They are the ones who, during the war for independence in Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) used to load up their six little girls in the van every week and drive out to hold Church in a black branch. They learned later than when they ledft each Sunday, the branch would pray together that they would return home safely.
It's really humbling to be around so many wonderful members of the Church, who have to make so many sacrifices, and stand up every day for their faith. I think maybe they should be going on missions to the Wasatch Front, instead of us coming here: they would so invigorate the wards there! I always used to think it was wonderful for missionaries from remote areas of the Church to serve in the States so they could see "how the Church works". Now I'm realizing that it's even more important for us to see "how faith and sacrifice work". All of our missionaries will take home memories of dedication, and willingness, and amazing changes that they see with their investigators and members. I'm embarrassed when I find myself frustrated because an auxilary isn't running perfectly - and then see the way the members are helping each other, taking nieces and nephews to live in their homes, walking long distances to Church meetings... It's easy to get bogged down in "stuff", and lose sight of the real meaning of the gospel. I guess those Nephites aren't so unusual, after all.
So, I guess this week's message is we all need to live the gospel better - in case we're only active in the Church. I need to, at least!
Love to everyone!
Mom/Grandma/Motherinlaw/Sue/Susan/SisterPresidentMann
ps Recently the "bench" players for the rugby team were Chester, Warwick, Basil & Kanyiso. Do you love it?
pps Iris Nield mentioned that when her daughter was unhappy with her husband over something, she didn't "get after him", she "gave him socks". And no, I don't get it.
ppps The photographer at the wedding turned out to have served his mission in Durban
Friday, June 12, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
2009 06 13 - Around the mission for zone conferences, then off to the wedding!
Dear Family & Friends:
We just finished three absolutely wonderful zone conferences focusing on the conversion process. The reason it was wonderful is because most of it was taught by the elders. I have a list here of potential EFY speakers for your files: Elders Richey, Schwarting, Nkosi, Terry, Holmes, Rothenberger, Muhwezi, Katende, Bradley, Emeneke, Crowther, O'Brien, Potter, Mbithi, Hatch, Vance & Ang'ila. Any of them could do a terrific job training and inspiring youth. And it was so fun listening to all the different accents - just let me know what kind you want: American, South African, Malagasy, Kenyan, Ugandan...oh, and of course Utahn.
The elders spoke on how to know what to teach (assessing needs), preparing and teaching powerful lessons, helping investigators feel and recognize the Spirit, teaching from the Book of Mormon, committing investigators to action. Afterwards the whole group offered suggestions of what else they might do on the particular topic - sort of like tips and hints. They were good, too! And I got an idea for the people emailing elders: You can send them coloring books and crayons to distract small children during the lessons; post-it pads for leaving commitments and follow-up reminders; and the new Gospel Art Book for illustrating lessons more clearly.
Elder Crowther suggested a way to remember the steps in preparing to teach - ABCD.
Always prepare fully for set appointments.
Before anything, get to know the person.
Check your surroundings (this gives clues about the family situation and their interests).
Don't forget to listen to the Spirit.
We focused on Elder Oaks quote - "Testimony is to know and feel. Conversion is to do and become" - and on pulling together the training on teaching and conversion from all the different chapters of Preach My Gospel. Elders still have a tendency to memorize the lessons, so there was also discussion on knowing the people, so you can follow the Spirit in adapting the lessons to their needs, and answering their questions from the Book of Mormon. And ALWAYS following up multiple times and multiple ways on commitments!
As a former missionary (from back in the days when there were 18,000 missionaries, with flipcharts, memorized discussions, and filmstrips, which these elders have never heard of!) it's interesting to see how the work has changed with Preach My Gospel. The most obvious, of course, is that missionaries teach more by the Spirit, instead of relying on memorized discussions. But there is also much more emphasis on having the RIGHT member present at every lesson. It's pretty easy to take a priest along, but if you're teaching a baba, he is always more willing to listen to another baba, someone who is his age, has had similar experiences, maybe even used to attend the same church. A baba who usually leaves the room when the missionaries come to teach his family will stay, out of courtesy, if another baba comes with the elders. The members invite the investigators to Church, even walk over with them, and can tell them what to expect, sit with them, and introduce them to other members. Having the right member involved makes a HUGE difference to the progress of the investigators.
Anyway, I wish you all could have been there. You'd have been impressed by the knowledge and dedication of the elders, and learned a lot about how to help with missionary work - and how to become more converted yourself! In addition to building the kingdom, missions are terrific leadership training camps. These elders, especially those from Africa, will be going home to guide their branches and quorums and wards and stakes, and they'll do a tremendous job. Steve is now having to repent for pride - in his missionaries.
In other news... Elder Sessions managed to stay out of jail in spite of a number of encounters with the police and court system this last week. We received a bill for 33,000 rands in unpaid traffic tickets - dating clear back to 2003. Tickets are issued from the cameras located on the highways, and although we have had tickets come in long after the date, this was ridiculous! Elders always pay their own traffic fines, but in this case there was, of course, no way to know who earned the fines - or even where they are today! The fines also covered courts all over - Durban, Chatsworth, Verulam, Pinetown, Umlazi, and Amanzimtoti, which required visits to every court and dealing with 6 different individuals to pay the fines. Plus up to 2-hour waits in some instances.
So, the police wanted to put the fines in Elder Sessions' name, probably so they could go after someone for payment. He refused, since if any were still unpaid when the Sessions finish their mission, they wouldn't be allowed to leave the country! He mentioned the fines to one of our panelbeaters, Teddy, who said "You can do better than this - let me take you to see Vernon." Vernon is a liaison to the prosecetor, and is 6'6" tall, and weighs in at around 290.( Good man to have on your side, or your team!) He took the printout to the Durban prosecutor, and was able to eliminate all fines over 5 years old. At Pinetown, they only required payment for the first and last tickets on the list, reduced by 50%. Elder Sessions had similar luck at most of the other courts, until he got to Chatsworth. The woman there had attitude. "Church people! Why should church people have speeding tickets!" She went through every single ticket, and they paid them all, even the older ones, but again with a 50% reduction. Bottom line, out of an original bill of R33,000, Elder Sessions ended up paying only R5,890. Well done!!
From the traffic desk: Two of the elders were involved in a very peculiar traffic incident last week. While changing lanes, they "bumped into" the "bully bar" on the front of an armored truck. When they pulled off to check the damage, another car immediately pulled off behind them, and men in bulletproof vests, carrying large weapons, jumped out and came over. It was the security detail that accompanies the armored truck, and they were checking to see if this had been an attempt to run the truck off the road and rob it. I'm not sure if the elders counted this as contacting, or not...
And in sports: 15 minutes into the Northwood game on Tuesday, Morgan sprained his ankle. We won any, by a large margin. He stayed home for 2 days, during which we were at zone conference, or I'm sure I would have broken one of his other limbs after the 2,000th "Mom?Mom? Will you bring me a..." He's at school today, as it's the start of exams. There is one more game on the 20th, and he really wants to play, so it will be interesting to see how it goes. On the spooky side, it was in the Northwood game last year that Hunter tore his ACL. Intentional? Or just coincidence? You decide...
Finally, a society update: Logan Mann and Sara Scott will be sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on Thursday, June 18th. Our first daughter-in-law! Loud hurrahs and huge celebrations will be the order of the day.
Love to everybody,
Mom/Grandma/Sue/Susan/SisterPresidentMann/Motherofthegroom
ps Three different elders came up to me at the Newcastle Zone Conference to tell me how much they enjoy receiving emails from their "adopters". Great work! And there are always new elders arriving, if you'd like to support missionary work in a very rewarding, hands-on way - just email durbanmanns@gmail.com, and you too can be the highlight of an elder's preparation day!
We just finished three absolutely wonderful zone conferences focusing on the conversion process. The reason it was wonderful is because most of it was taught by the elders. I have a list here of potential EFY speakers for your files: Elders Richey, Schwarting, Nkosi, Terry, Holmes, Rothenberger, Muhwezi, Katende, Bradley, Emeneke, Crowther, O'Brien, Potter, Mbithi, Hatch, Vance & Ang'ila. Any of them could do a terrific job training and inspiring youth. And it was so fun listening to all the different accents - just let me know what kind you want: American, South African, Malagasy, Kenyan, Ugandan...oh, and of course Utahn.
The elders spoke on how to know what to teach (assessing needs), preparing and teaching powerful lessons, helping investigators feel and recognize the Spirit, teaching from the Book of Mormon, committing investigators to action. Afterwards the whole group offered suggestions of what else they might do on the particular topic - sort of like tips and hints. They were good, too! And I got an idea for the people emailing elders: You can send them coloring books and crayons to distract small children during the lessons; post-it pads for leaving commitments and follow-up reminders; and the new Gospel Art Book for illustrating lessons more clearly.
Elder Crowther suggested a way to remember the steps in preparing to teach - ABCD.
Always prepare fully for set appointments.
Before anything, get to know the person.
Check your surroundings (this gives clues about the family situation and their interests).
Don't forget to listen to the Spirit.
We focused on Elder Oaks quote - "Testimony is to know and feel. Conversion is to do and become" - and on pulling together the training on teaching and conversion from all the different chapters of Preach My Gospel. Elders still have a tendency to memorize the lessons, so there was also discussion on knowing the people, so you can follow the Spirit in adapting the lessons to their needs, and answering their questions from the Book of Mormon. And ALWAYS following up multiple times and multiple ways on commitments!
As a former missionary (from back in the days when there were 18,000 missionaries, with flipcharts, memorized discussions, and filmstrips, which these elders have never heard of!) it's interesting to see how the work has changed with Preach My Gospel. The most obvious, of course, is that missionaries teach more by the Spirit, instead of relying on memorized discussions. But there is also much more emphasis on having the RIGHT member present at every lesson. It's pretty easy to take a priest along, but if you're teaching a baba, he is always more willing to listen to another baba, someone who is his age, has had similar experiences, maybe even used to attend the same church. A baba who usually leaves the room when the missionaries come to teach his family will stay, out of courtesy, if another baba comes with the elders. The members invite the investigators to Church, even walk over with them, and can tell them what to expect, sit with them, and introduce them to other members. Having the right member involved makes a HUGE difference to the progress of the investigators.
Anyway, I wish you all could have been there. You'd have been impressed by the knowledge and dedication of the elders, and learned a lot about how to help with missionary work - and how to become more converted yourself! In addition to building the kingdom, missions are terrific leadership training camps. These elders, especially those from Africa, will be going home to guide their branches and quorums and wards and stakes, and they'll do a tremendous job. Steve is now having to repent for pride - in his missionaries.
In other news... Elder Sessions managed to stay out of jail in spite of a number of encounters with the police and court system this last week. We received a bill for 33,000 rands in unpaid traffic tickets - dating clear back to 2003. Tickets are issued from the cameras located on the highways, and although we have had tickets come in long after the date, this was ridiculous! Elders always pay their own traffic fines, but in this case there was, of course, no way to know who earned the fines - or even where they are today! The fines also covered courts all over - Durban, Chatsworth, Verulam, Pinetown, Umlazi, and Amanzimtoti, which required visits to every court and dealing with 6 different individuals to pay the fines. Plus up to 2-hour waits in some instances.
So, the police wanted to put the fines in Elder Sessions' name, probably so they could go after someone for payment. He refused, since if any were still unpaid when the Sessions finish their mission, they wouldn't be allowed to leave the country! He mentioned the fines to one of our panelbeaters, Teddy, who said "You can do better than this - let me take you to see Vernon." Vernon is a liaison to the prosecetor, and is 6'6" tall, and weighs in at around 290.( Good man to have on your side, or your team!) He took the printout to the Durban prosecutor, and was able to eliminate all fines over 5 years old. At Pinetown, they only required payment for the first and last tickets on the list, reduced by 50%. Elder Sessions had similar luck at most of the other courts, until he got to Chatsworth. The woman there had attitude. "Church people! Why should church people have speeding tickets!" She went through every single ticket, and they paid them all, even the older ones, but again with a 50% reduction. Bottom line, out of an original bill of R33,000, Elder Sessions ended up paying only R5,890. Well done!!
From the traffic desk: Two of the elders were involved in a very peculiar traffic incident last week. While changing lanes, they "bumped into" the "bully bar" on the front of an armored truck. When they pulled off to check the damage, another car immediately pulled off behind them, and men in bulletproof vests, carrying large weapons, jumped out and came over. It was the security detail that accompanies the armored truck, and they were checking to see if this had been an attempt to run the truck off the road and rob it. I'm not sure if the elders counted this as contacting, or not...
And in sports: 15 minutes into the Northwood game on Tuesday, Morgan sprained his ankle. We won any, by a large margin. He stayed home for 2 days, during which we were at zone conference, or I'm sure I would have broken one of his other limbs after the 2,000th "Mom?Mom? Will you bring me a..." He's at school today, as it's the start of exams. There is one more game on the 20th, and he really wants to play, so it will be interesting to see how it goes. On the spooky side, it was in the Northwood game last year that Hunter tore his ACL. Intentional? Or just coincidence? You decide...
Finally, a society update: Logan Mann and Sara Scott will be sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on Thursday, June 18th. Our first daughter-in-law! Loud hurrahs and huge celebrations will be the order of the day.
Love to everybody,
Mom/Grandma/Sue/Susan/SisterPresidentMann/Motherofthegroom
ps Three different elders came up to me at the Newcastle Zone Conference to tell me how much they enjoy receiving emails from their "adopters". Great work! And there are always new elders arriving, if you'd like to support missionary work in a very rewarding, hands-on way - just email durbanmanns@gmail.com, and you too can be the highlight of an elder's preparation day!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
2009 06 07 - We're Now the Oldest in the Mission - or Do I Mean the Most Experienced? No, the Oldest...
Dear Everyone:
This week Elders Chafin and Schaupp finished their missions (extremely well, I might add) and returned home. They originally arrived here just a few weeks before we did, so we are not the "longest playing" missionaries in the mission. It's a strange feeling - second only to the stranger feeling when we we welcomed the first group of missionaries who will still be here when we go home next year. Next transfer it will be our first group of elders who head for home - and that will REALLY make it feel like times running out.
But let's not be morbid...There's still plenty of time to Build the Kingdom and Strengthen the Brotherhood! To say nothing of developing life-long member missionaries and (maybe) a stake or two! Feel free to come out and help... By the way, Elder Ang'ila recently revealed the three questions asked by every elder at transfer time: 1) Where am I going? 2) Who is my new companion and 3) Are there any senior couples there? (Hmmm, is this overkill or what??)
We had four new elders arrive, all from Africa. Next transfer we don't get any at all - a first. The Johannesburg MTC is closed for cleaning in July, so the last two July transfers were all Americans from Provo. We're not getting quite so many Americans now, so I guess they just figured they'd skip us this time. We do have a few American elders coming in the fall, though: that will help out with the driver's licence crisis! And speaking of American missionaries, our good friends Delray and Marsha Maughan finally got their call - we were pulling every string we could get hold of to get them here in the Africa Southeast Area (as Area Medical Adviser) but apparently the Africa West Area needed them more. We're jealous - but the nice thing about the missionary world is that you know everyone goes exactly where they're supposed to. They'll be about as far from us as they can be, and still be on the same continent! I think we measured it on a world map once, and it's as far as the distance from the U.S.-Canadian border, to Peru.
Elder Mwita is our new elder from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. He lost his parents when he was young, and spent several years in an orphanage then went to live with an uncle who is a pastor in the Pentecostal Church. While he was living there, he went to free classes to learn English - as taught by missionaries, using "They Shall Have My Words", and the Book of Mormon. Thnkgs progressed, and he gained a testimony and started attending Church. His uncle warned him that it was the church of the devil - to which Elder Mwita responded "But why would devil teach me to keep the commandments?" "Well, the devil knows the commandments, too..." Hmmm. He attended both Pentecostal and LDS services for awhile, to please his uncle, but when he wouldn't give up the Church, his uncle conferred with his fellow church leaders, and then kicked him out of the house. Elder Mwita went to the branch president, who found a member family who took him in. And now he's here - (And Hunter and Morgan didn't want to give up high school...)
So many of the elders here have inspirational stories like that one. The "Wasatch Front" missionaries (myself included!) kind of wish they had one too - but as they see the difficult lives people lead without the gospel, that starts changing to gratitude for NOT knowing how hard life can be! It's not until we get out here that we realize how much we took safe gospel homes for granted. I certainly did: I just thought that was how every family lived! Big surprise!
Saturday Steve went to Johannesburg for the Coastal Coordinating Committee meeting with President Koelliker, President Probst of the Cape Town Mission, and the stake presidents of the two missions. They meet twice a year and work through issues like missionary complements, temple attendance, member missionary work, and all the administrative headaches that are included in running stakes and missions. One of the blessings of the priesthood?
Meanwhile, I was rugby mom and taxi driver. We played Durban High School for their Founder's Day Weekend: Morgan played on U16B, and we won 22-nil. U16A also won, 24-nil. 1st team played at 5pm - "under the lights"! - and won 22-3. The rugby season is winding down, so I'll have to find a really exhausting training program at the gym to keep Morgan busy...
This term the boys have a work/study project for Life Orientation. They have to spend 5 days in a workplace, observing and doing whatever the boss lets them do. It's to help them start looking at careers, but we're finding it a bit hard to find places Hunter & Morgan can actually shadow someone in a career they're interested in: not a lot of NFL and NBA players here! So Morgan is working out a deal with a rugby friend, to go along with him to his dad's office, and Hunter is working in the mission office - he's done one shift so far. He went with Elder Sessions to the panel beaters to pick up a car that had been repaired, and inventoried, according to him, "10,000 things". This could be very useful! The boys will keep a log of when they went, and what they did, and the "businessman" will do a review of their punctuality, willingness, attention to detail, appearance, etc. I've asked Elder Sessions to be the office manager for Hunter's project and do the review. Apparently the school does this project every year - 5 days in grade 10, 10 in grade 11, and 15 in grade 12. Considering you have to do it during school holidays, and most places are closed on Saturdays, it's quite a challenge.
Our weather is swinging from cold to hot to cold to hot, and everyone is getting sick. I know weather doesn't really have anything to do with it - but I always blame it, anyway. I get calls from the elders, and I wish I had an instant, magic pill for them..."take it easy and rest" isn't popular with missionaries who want to be out there teaching - which is nice. I'd be pretty suspicious of any elder who loved that advice! Steve and I and half the WBHS rugby players have all been sick, too. The best part about it...is when it's finally over! So stay healthy, everyone!
Love,
Mom/Grandma/Sue/Susan/SisterPresidentMann
ps Anyone else having trouble keeping up with what teenage boys are calling each other? I was just getting used to "Man", "Dude", and "Bro" when they started in with "Dog", "Bru", and now "O". Maybe it originated with "Cheerio" which evolved to "Cheers, Hunter" and " and Cheers, O" and now it's just "O". (Etymology 101)
pps I'm also being "surname" challenged: first we had Schlenker & Schwarting in the office, now try saying this fast: Mbongwe, Mwita, Muhwezi, Mahloko, Mholo, Muthoka, Mutuku, Maxongo; or Ndhlovu, Nganda, Nkele, Nkosi, Ntalime; and we'll soon have Sichinga, Ssesanga, Tsegula.
Oh well, I guess it's a little easier than Andriarimalala, Tojomampionona, Randrianirinaniarivo, & Ravolazafindrafiatra. I'll just stick to "Elder!"
This week Elders Chafin and Schaupp finished their missions (extremely well, I might add) and returned home. They originally arrived here just a few weeks before we did, so we are not the "longest playing" missionaries in the mission. It's a strange feeling - second only to the stranger feeling when we we welcomed the first group of missionaries who will still be here when we go home next year. Next transfer it will be our first group of elders who head for home - and that will REALLY make it feel like times running out.
But let's not be morbid...There's still plenty of time to Build the Kingdom and Strengthen the Brotherhood! To say nothing of developing life-long member missionaries and (maybe) a stake or two! Feel free to come out and help... By the way, Elder Ang'ila recently revealed the three questions asked by every elder at transfer time: 1) Where am I going? 2) Who is my new companion and 3) Are there any senior couples there? (Hmmm, is this overkill or what??)
We had four new elders arrive, all from Africa. Next transfer we don't get any at all - a first. The Johannesburg MTC is closed for cleaning in July, so the last two July transfers were all Americans from Provo. We're not getting quite so many Americans now, so I guess they just figured they'd skip us this time. We do have a few American elders coming in the fall, though: that will help out with the driver's licence crisis! And speaking of American missionaries, our good friends Delray and Marsha Maughan finally got their call - we were pulling every string we could get hold of to get them here in the Africa Southeast Area (as Area Medical Adviser) but apparently the Africa West Area needed them more. We're jealous - but the nice thing about the missionary world is that you know everyone goes exactly where they're supposed to. They'll be about as far from us as they can be, and still be on the same continent! I think we measured it on a world map once, and it's as far as the distance from the U.S.-Canadian border, to Peru.
Elder Mwita is our new elder from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. He lost his parents when he was young, and spent several years in an orphanage then went to live with an uncle who is a pastor in the Pentecostal Church. While he was living there, he went to free classes to learn English - as taught by missionaries, using "They Shall Have My Words", and the Book of Mormon. Thnkgs progressed, and he gained a testimony and started attending Church. His uncle warned him that it was the church of the devil - to which Elder Mwita responded "But why would devil teach me to keep the commandments?" "Well, the devil knows the commandments, too..." Hmmm. He attended both Pentecostal and LDS services for awhile, to please his uncle, but when he wouldn't give up the Church, his uncle conferred with his fellow church leaders, and then kicked him out of the house. Elder Mwita went to the branch president, who found a member family who took him in. And now he's here - (And Hunter and Morgan didn't want to give up high school...)
So many of the elders here have inspirational stories like that one. The "Wasatch Front" missionaries (myself included!) kind of wish they had one too - but as they see the difficult lives people lead without the gospel, that starts changing to gratitude for NOT knowing how hard life can be! It's not until we get out here that we realize how much we took safe gospel homes for granted. I certainly did: I just thought that was how every family lived! Big surprise!
Saturday Steve went to Johannesburg for the Coastal Coordinating Committee meeting with President Koelliker, President Probst of the Cape Town Mission, and the stake presidents of the two missions. They meet twice a year and work through issues like missionary complements, temple attendance, member missionary work, and all the administrative headaches that are included in running stakes and missions. One of the blessings of the priesthood?
Meanwhile, I was rugby mom and taxi driver. We played Durban High School for their Founder's Day Weekend: Morgan played on U16B, and we won 22-nil. U16A also won, 24-nil. 1st team played at 5pm - "under the lights"! - and won 22-3. The rugby season is winding down, so I'll have to find a really exhausting training program at the gym to keep Morgan busy...
This term the boys have a work/study project for Life Orientation. They have to spend 5 days in a workplace, observing and doing whatever the boss lets them do. It's to help them start looking at careers, but we're finding it a bit hard to find places Hunter & Morgan can actually shadow someone in a career they're interested in: not a lot of NFL and NBA players here! So Morgan is working out a deal with a rugby friend, to go along with him to his dad's office, and Hunter is working in the mission office - he's done one shift so far. He went with Elder Sessions to the panel beaters to pick up a car that had been repaired, and inventoried, according to him, "10,000 things". This could be very useful! The boys will keep a log of when they went, and what they did, and the "businessman" will do a review of their punctuality, willingness, attention to detail, appearance, etc. I've asked Elder Sessions to be the office manager for Hunter's project and do the review. Apparently the school does this project every year - 5 days in grade 10, 10 in grade 11, and 15 in grade 12. Considering you have to do it during school holidays, and most places are closed on Saturdays, it's quite a challenge.
Our weather is swinging from cold to hot to cold to hot, and everyone is getting sick. I know weather doesn't really have anything to do with it - but I always blame it, anyway. I get calls from the elders, and I wish I had an instant, magic pill for them..."take it easy and rest" isn't popular with missionaries who want to be out there teaching - which is nice. I'd be pretty suspicious of any elder who loved that advice! Steve and I and half the WBHS rugby players have all been sick, too. The best part about it...is when it's finally over! So stay healthy, everyone!
Love,
Mom/Grandma/Sue/Susan/SisterPresidentMann
ps Anyone else having trouble keeping up with what teenage boys are calling each other? I was just getting used to "Man", "Dude", and "Bro" when they started in with "Dog", "Bru", and now "O". Maybe it originated with "Cheerio" which evolved to "Cheers, Hunter" and " and Cheers, O" and now it's just "O". (Etymology 101)
pps I'm also being "surname" challenged: first we had Schlenker & Schwarting in the office, now try saying this fast: Mbongwe, Mwita, Muhwezi, Mahloko, Mholo, Muthoka, Mutuku, Maxongo; or Ndhlovu, Nganda, Nkele, Nkosi, Ntalime; and we'll soon have Sichinga, Ssesanga, Tsegula.
Oh well, I guess it's a little easier than Andriarimalala, Tojomampionona, Randrianirinaniarivo, & Ravolazafindrafiatra. I'll just stick to "Elder!"
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