Elder and Sister Thomas Arrive Home and we are Speaking in Church

Family and Friends,

We have just arrived home safe and sound at the Salt Lake International Airport.  We wanted to let anyone that may be interested in seeing us that we are speaking in church this Sunday.  (Sunday April 12, 2015)  The time and address are listed below.  We will be having an open house following our block of meetings so if you are available please come by our place between 2:00 and 5:00 on Sunday afternoon.  We would love to see you.

Ward: Mountain Point 7th Ward
Meeting time: 11:00 AM
Building Address: 13112 S 700 E, Draper, UT, 84020

Wash, Wax and Braai with the Mdantsane Zone

We had the Mdantsane Zone over to our house today to Wash, Wax and Braai with us.  We were somewhat lucky today because we had three new vehicles show up this morning.  I had the missionaries meet me down at the site where Mercedes ships out all their vehicles and we picked up our new Chevy Aveos.   We had the opportunity to wash and wax the Elders’ brand new vehicles.  They drove away very pleased and happy with their cars.  Even our problematic silver Toyota looked good today.

Sister Thomas cooked all the hamburgers while Elder Thomas provided some direction on waxing and buffing out of small scratches.  Later, we all had the hamburgers for lunch and all the Elders went away happy and full.

It was also Elder Sanders birthday this week so Sister Thomas also baked a cake and we had it with ice cream after we all sang “Happy Birthday” to him. 

This was a warm sunny South African afternoon.  It was a bit heart breaking to know this was the last time we would do this with the Elders. 

The East London Zone Help Repair a Brick Wall

We met the East London Zone this morning at 7:00 at the site where one of the Elders had an accident with his vehicle.  We wanted to see if we could fix the brick wall that had been pushed aside and broken in the accident.

With the help of the Elders with the required muscle work and some cement caulking and some industrial exterior glue, we were able to piece the bricks back together.

It was like a big jigsaw puzzle that took time to figure where everything fit together.  Elder Chamberlain proved to be very good at figuring out where even little pieces of bricks fit together.  You can see the “Bent Brick Wall” in the lower right and the fixed walls on the left and right of the middle picture.

When we were done, it was not perfect but it was a big improvement compared to when we started.

In the center picture in the back from left to right: Elders  Kekezwa, Chamberlain, Johnson, Nzama, Chapman, Pope, Du Plessis, Malatji

Front row left to right: Elders Muller, Mmusi, Soko, Thomas, Katwana, Hyera and Stratton

Lunch with Elder and Sister Wheeler following Branch Conference

We had the Branch Conference at Port Alfred today.  We had the Mission Presidency speak along with their wives.  This was first weekend of school holidays so there were several families and members away.  The building was still fairly full which was nice.

After the meeting we went to the Wheeler’s for lunch.  It was enjoyable to spend a couple of hours relaxing with them.  Their son and daughter-in-law had arrived a few days earlier to spend a week with them.  We twisted Ryan’s arm  (the son) to share some family stories with us about his parents.  We enjoyed hearing a bit more about the Wheelers from their family.

After lunch we left Port Alfred and drove President Merrill to the East London Airport.  We were having such a good time with the Wheelers, we left the time a bit close in getting President Merrill to the airport.  We made it with time to spare.  We sent Pres. Merrill back to Cape Town with our set of golf clubs and made him promise to make time to use them!

Dinner with Elder and SIster Taim, Elders Carnieletto & Banda, and President Merrill

On the way from Sada to Port Alfred we stopped in Grahamstown in order to set apart the new Elders quorum President and his 1st counselor.   After that was done, we went to dinner with Elder and Sister Taim, Elders Carnieletto and his companion Elder Banda.

Once dinner was over we drove on to Port Alfred.  It was a full day and we all slept well that night.  We were finished.

Celebrating Bonga Mango's mission departure, Elder and Sister Thomas departure and the Stapley's move to East London

We had the opportunity to visit with the Sada Ward today.  They had a special function for Bonga Mango who is departing on a mission to the London South Mission.  Amazing.  Sister Thomas and I helped Bonga as he made the necessary preparations.  Of course, there was a great deal of help from the Stapley's who follow us in Sada.

The function was also for Elder and Sister Thomas as well as Elder and Sister Stapley who will be relocating to East London to take out place there.

It was a joyous celebration and it was well planned and well executed.  They really know how to have party there.  Bishop Xalabile and Sister Xalabile are simply awesome leaders in the Ward.  It has been wonderful to see sacrament meeting attendance grow from 43 the first time we attended to over 120 today.  Dedicated service from the members, with the support from the Stake in calling Stake Missionaries to work in the ward, along with the service of the missionaries has made a difference.

About halfway through the celebrations, they came and took Sister Thomas away and dressed her up.  It was cute.  Only later did Sister Thomas realize that Sister Xalabile made the dress for her.  When she realized this she had tears in her eyes for more than just a moment.

We had President Merrill with us for this and he enjoyed the lunch provided by the ward.

We really love this place and and the people.  We will leave a portion of our hearts with these members.

Scripture repairs, District Meeting broken cars and Cleaning Supplies.

A busy day in the mission field begins with fixing two sets of scriptures for the Elders early in the day before District Meetings. Then we attended the East London 3rd and 4th Ward District Meetings.  I have had this picture on the wall in every business office I have worked in for the past 20 years.  It reminded me every day that my life was not just about the manufacture, delivery and sales of explosives.  I had the Elders take our picture next to it in the institute building where the District Meetings were held.

After that we attended to some errands to pay some bills and to get to the Telkom Store to get some queries answered for some other Senior Couples.  When we were done at the Telkom store, we received a call from East London 2nd ward Elders that their car was making noises.  We drove to meet them and I drove the car.  It was making a wild screaming sound from the right front wheel.  We managed to get it to the church and arranged for a tow truck to come and take it to the dealer.  We will have to check on this Monday.

By the time the tow truck came, we had to rush to make it to a dinner with the East London Stake Presidency.  We were invited to their social, which was a very nice jester by them.  We have had such a wonderful working relationship with them and it has been a blessing to us. We spent a wonderful evening with the Presidency and their wives.  We went to the Cape Town Fish Market restaurant for dinner.  The food was great and the company excellent.  We have come to love and respect President Bell, President Van Heerden, President Mangwane and Brother Welsh.  Unfortunately, we forgot to get a picture of the event.

After the dinner we went and dropped off some cleaning supplies to the Mdantsane 2nd ward Elders.  These Elders were pleased with the supplies.  In truth, it does not take much to keep Elders smiling.  They are always grateful for what we do.

Shown are Elders Smith, Shabalala, Martinez and Mashigo along with Sister Thomas.

Bicyles Repars, Mops and French Fries

At the end of this day we dropped back in to help Elders Malatji and Hyera install new headlights and taillights on their bicycles.   We also helped the Elders Mmusi and Muller fix a mop and watched as Elder Katwana taught Elder Chapman how to make chips (french fries).

Flat Inspection with the East London 3rd and 4th Ward Elders

We inspected the boardings of the East London 3rd and 4th wards.  Both of these boardings were in very good condition and Sister Thomas gave them both very good scores.

Once the inspection was completed, we reviewed both vehicles for any scratches or dents.  The cars were still looking good from the washing and waxing we had done on Monday.  We took this picture in the parking lot and is not the best picture of the Elders.  You can see from Left to Right: Elders Kekezwa, Mmusi, Katwana, Nzama (in the back) Chapman, Muller, Malatji, Hyera and Sister Thomas.

Big Burger Night with the Zone Leaders

Big burger night with the Zone Leaders took place this evening.  We try to do this once in a while so we can review with the Zone Leaders and find out some of their struggles and to let them know what we need help with.  We discussed at length the issue the Zone Leaders are wrestling with in respect to the MSF and how it is to be used.  We followed up on some common problems that they are facing.  It was a good working meeting over dinner.

From the pictures you can see just how big the burgers are.  It is a fun dinner as you end up seeing just how much the Elders can eat.  Sometime even the smallest Elder can finish the burger.

In lower left beginning with Sister Thomas going clockwise: Elder’s Thomas, Stratton, Sanders, Stegelmeier, and Chamberlain.

Nice evening.

A Visit to the Mercedes-Benz Plant in East London

A visit to the Mercedes Benz plant took place today.  We had arranged this so we could go prior to our departure from the Mission Field.  As luck would have it, Elder & Sister Wheeler and Elder & Sister Stapley were able to join us.

This was a wonderful to see the entire production line from start to finish.  The robotic machines were simply amazing.  The entire body is assembled and welded by automated robots.  They are producing 450 vehicles per month and about 35 to 50 trucks per month.

After the visit to the factory we had the opportunity to go to lunch at a restaurant that overlooked the sea along the esplanade drive in East London.

Elder Thomas Buffs out Some Scratches

Elder Thomas takes some time to buff out some scratches on one of the Elder’s Cars.  There were a couple of deep scratches that did not come out but all of the smaller scratches came out.  This took a bit of elbow grease and several grades of buffing and the rubbing compounds.  I was trying to show the Elders what is possible in the care of their cars.

Elder Johnson tries to hit a Golf Ball

We had a special treat when Elder Johnson asked to hit a golf ball off our back lawn out into the valley.  His first swing topped the ball and it rolled along the grass for 5 yards.  His second swing was a massive whiff where he missed the ball entirely.  You can see the concern about this and the laughter of his companion at his questioning of what in the world went wrong.

When he finally hit the ball, it went well but was a low flying hook.  He went away shaking his head.  I reassured him that it would all come back when he needed it to come back.  Hitting a 3 wood off Elder and Sister Thomas back yard is not his area of focus right now.  We love Elder Johnson and his commitment to be an obedient missionary.  His parents would and should be proud of what he is accomplishing here in the mission field. 

Washing, Waxing and a Hamburger Braai with the East London Zone

While had an overcast sky, we were still able to have the East London Zone over to our house to wash and wax their vehicles.  There were some that we had to work hard on their cars as they required some buffing compound to clean take out scratches.

We also cooked hamburgers and had some veggies (with Ranch dip) and chips. It was Elder Chamberlain’s birthday this week so Sister Thomas made a red velvet cake with ice cream as dessert to celebrate.  It was a wonderful afternoon made all the more special because we simply do not have that many more with the Elders.

We Pick up and Deliver Elder Martinez to his First Companion Elder Smith

We were able to go tot he airport and pick up Elder Martinez who just arrived in the mission field on Wednesday evening.  He spent two days at the Mission home being training and being interviewing with President Merrill.  I can tell he is and will be good addition to our mission.  He has an infectious simile.

As he shared his story with us we came love his family who we have not even met.  Perhaps when we go home we will find the time to run them down.

Elder Smith has been so excited to get his new companion and was excited when we pulled into the church.  We found him there with three other fellowshippers and he was doing split offs with them.  Elder Martinez fit right in and then went directly to work.  We took Elder Martinez suit cases and his suit coat jacket and put it in the Elders Boarding.  On his first day in his first area Elder Martinez was off and running.  As he should be!

Windmill in Stutterheim where we were meeting up with the Stapleys

Today we drove up to Stutterheim to switch a missionary vehicle with the Staples’ who had driven one down from Queenstown.  We met up at the Engine Museum to change vehicles.  While we were waiting we took a picture of a windmill that was in the field next door.  We took one with us in the picture as well but this one seemed a bit more peaceful and show the passing of time with the old building in the background.  You can’t help but love the country side South Africa.

Mdentsane Zone District Meeting

We attended a joint District Meeting with the Mdantsane Zone this morning.  There was some Zone Training by the Zone Leaders and an excellent training on how to run and hold counsels by Elder Shabalala.  The Zone Leaders then provided some good instructions on the Priesthood Ordinance of Baptism. They also provided training on the correct way to have and run a counsel meeting where Elders counsel together and all are edified. It was a good training all around.

East London Stake Missionary Correlation Meeting

We had a wonderful opportunity to meet with the East London Stake President, President Bell and Brother Human, the member of the High Council who is responsible for Missionary work along with the three sets of Zone Leaders in the Stake.  President Bell expressed his love for the Elders and his gratitude for the increased obedience he has see in the mission.  This was truly a counsel meeting where opinions were expressed and concerns raised.

President Bell has a missionary heart.  He knows and understands the value of obedient missionaries and the value they bring to his Stake.  I am sure with this new focus we will see our combined resources become more aligned and Heavenly Father will bless the missionary work and the Stake as a result.

Seated in at the table from left to right: Elders Stegelmeier, Sanders, Thayne, Freitas, Stratton and Chamberlain.
Back row: President Thomas, President Bell and Brother Human.

The Stapleys join us for Transfer Day in East London

Transfer day - WOW! We woke up only to hear that we had some Elders in a vehicle accident the night before.  The car is totaled.  We are glad that the missionaries are safe and sound.  We began the day meet at the church at 5:45 so we could get to the airport and drop off the group that are flying to Cape Town. 

Then it was back home to do a bit of office work and then to the bus station to pick up the inbound Elders from PE.  We then dropped them back at the Church and picked up those that were departing by bus and took them to the bus stations.  Sister Thomas gave the departing Elders a hand hug. I missed getting a picture of that but there is a picture of Elder and Sister Stapley practicing the Hand Hug on each other.  It is a nice thing to pass along to the next Senior Couple. 

Once we delivered these elders to the bus we were off to the airport to collect the arriving Elders and delivered them back to the Chapel.  Finally, after a long day, we had a nice relaxing dinner with the Stapley at Grazia’s restaurant.  I am glad that we had the Stapley’s down here so we could show them the “ropes”.  They are a wonderful couple and I am sure they will provide exception service after we depart.  Heavenly Father always finds someone and qualifies that someone to step into the void that is created when a Senior Couple depart the mission field.  The void never lasts for long.

We take the Stapleys around to see all the Missionary Flats in East London

We have had the Stapely’s staying with us for a few days.  They came on Sunday evening.  This morning we took them to all the Missionaries flats so they could get these marked in their GPS.  It was enjoyable to introduce them around and help them get aquatinted with East London.