We thought when we left Morgan, that would be the end of the Adversary's fiery darts, however, we are finding that that is not necessarily so. We seem to find challenges in everything we do. We have made about seven trips to the Mall to deal with the challenges of trying to get our internet in and set up. Hopefully, it is up and will continue to work for a while.
Last Sunday, we had a very inspirational fast and testimony meeting. Even though I was sad that we weren't able to view conference, the testimonies were so outstanding that it made up for not being on my couch in front of the T V munching Conference rolls. These members have such strong testimonies! They are so grateful for what the church has added to their lives. We did try to tune in to some of conference that evening. 8:00 and 10:00 p.m. were the times we could see it live via the internet. The computer was too slow to watch the video, but we were able to get the audio. We missed the last half of the afternoon's session because the Elders and one of the prospective missionaries of our Branch stopped in to visit and have dessert. By the time they left, it was over.
Monday morning as we were starting our day, we got a call from the Elders saying they had just received word that our Church had been broken into during the night. They had removed three luvored window slats and climbed in through there. They are high windows. They took a computer, a DVD player, and a projector. We found out later in the week that in fact, the projector was locked in a file cabinet and was safe.
Though we had two different appointments cancel on us this week, we had two very nice visits with some other members. One is an inactive returned missionary who is married with twin 4 year old daughters. As we visited with them, I told them about the Primary Program coming up and the little girls might like to come to Primary to participate in it. The Mom asked about getting a CD with the songs on so they could learn them. I told her I would get one from the Presidency and we could get it burned for them. They offered to do them for the other Primary families, so that actually proved to be helpful. She ended up coming to Church today and brought the C D's and the twins. Her husband didn't come, but it's a start.
We had a Helping Hands project scheduled for Saturday morning that was spearheaded by the young Elders. We were to go in and clean the yard of a school for handicapped children and plant grass so they could have a green area to play on. It has rained almost every day this week. The past few days, we got some extremely heavy showers. Because of the wetness, the principal decided to postpone the project for another day. As it happened, it was the nicest day we've had this week. Oh, well, we're looking to the first part of November to do the project.
Saturday, the person over physical facilities out of the Area Offfice made a trip from Johannesburg to bring up a DVD player and a computer for our Branch since we had planned to see the Saturday sessions of Conference on Sunday. Elder Baxter was over at the Church the better part of the day receiving the supplies and getting things ready for the broadcast on Sunday. Because the company still hasn't come to install the burglar bars, he had to bring the equipment home so it would be safe. We were up early because we had to be at the Church by 8:00 to finish getting the equipment set up. Wouldn't you know it!! About 6:15, the power went off. So much for my dinner preparations. We had invited the Elders Quorem President and his family over for dinner after church, so everything just sat in the pans as is. Also no way to curl my hair (good thing I hadn't just washed it that morning. It would have been rather scary)
We got on our way, without stoplights, or robots as they call them. We saw one light a few blocks from the church, so we thought all was well. Except by the time we got to the next light, we discovered it was out too. We got to the church and discovered that the power was out there too. We said another prayer, for we knew that no one would be prepared for Church as usual. About 8:40, the Branch President and his son hurried to get the sacrament set up. We had no choice other than to go ahead and have church. He called on a few people to bear their testimonies, including Lynn. Each sensed an urgency to share a lesson along with their testimonies. The meeting was very inspirational. Even with Sunday School, Relief Society and Priesthood, people stepped up and gave lessons which they hadn't really prepared. They actually all did a wonderful job! The lessons were all very well done.
After the block of meetings was over, the branch gathered for a Linger Longer with trays of quarter sized sandwiches and juice that the Branch President had brought. I think he was planning on this being the snack in between Conference sessions. Even after we finished cleaning up, the power still wasn't on. We told the Ngami family that we would call them when the power was on and hopefully still be able to have dinner.
About 2:24 pm, the kitchen light flipped on. I reset the stove dials to finish cooking the veggies, and gave a call to the family and told them we'd eat at 4:00. Everything was ready, but they didn't arrive until 5:00. No problem, we still were able to enjoy a typical American Sunday dinner of Roast beef, potatoes, gravy, brown sugar and buttered carrots, biscuits, (sorry no Rhodes rolls here) apple slices, and banana oatmeal cake. They said they enjoyed it, however, they didn't seem too big on the potatoes and gravy. They are used to eating pap which is a ground white corn meal cooked in boiling water. It looks like mashed potatoes, but is heavier and drier. She had brought a "lemon condensed tart" with caramel drizzled on top,which tasted a lot like the cheese cake that I make except the crust was thicker and harder. She told me she didn't bake, she just bought something at the bakery for the weekend. I put ice cream on the top. Since we hadn't eaten the banana bars, I cut a plate of them and sent home with her. I had also made rice krispie squares in case their kids were alergic to nuts. I sent some home with her as well. She asked what they were and how I made them. When I told her how simple they were to make, she wanted the recipie and said she thought she could do that. (Amazing what miracle recipies we have in the states!!! :)
Despite all the challenges of the day and week, there were still some very positive things that had happened along with it. It was a great reminder that we always have to put our trust in the Savior and move forward with whatever obstacles come our way. Satan will always try to thwart the work of the Lord. It is up to us to not be discouraged by his fiery darts but to move forward to Plan B and with our faith and the Savior will take care of the rest.
I know the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and that we are here in South Africa to help the work move forward in this area. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve!
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